Signature: Watson, Charles A W

Born in 1899, Charles Watson joined 11 Squadron on the Western Front in 1918 as an observer / gunner on Bristol F2B fighters, and was the worlds last survivor to be shot down during the First World War. On 9th August 1918, he and his pilot were shot down during an aerial duel near Peronne. With his pilot temporarily blinded by escaping petrol fumes, Charles managed to land the plane in front of French Army lines using the spare joystick and, with the help of the French, managed to get his dazed wounded pilot back to safety.