N.Z.-Born A.I.F. Men Wins D.S.O. In Papua

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 3

N.Z.-Born A.I.F. Men Wins D.S.O. In Papua

(Special)

SYDNEY, December 17

A New Zealand-born A.I.F. infantry officer. Major William T. Watson, whose decoration with the D.S.O. has just been announced in the list of New Guinea campaign awards, may not know for some weeks that his bravery has been recognised. He is somewhere north of the Owen Stanley Range.

Major Watson. who also served with the A.I.F. in the last war, was a famous Rugby footballer and several times captained Australian international sides. As a private in the last war Major, Watson served with the Australian force which captured Rabaul and German New Guinea.

The islands fascinated him and he returned there at the end .of the war being at various times recruiter of native labour, gold prospector and plantation manager. He made a fortune, married and settled down in the United States, where his wife and daughter and three-year-old son live in Columbus, Ohio.

On Secret Task

When the present war began. Major Watson was home in the United States, but 17 days later he arrived in Sydney and tried to enlist in the A.I.F.

At the recruiting deport, he was told he was too old so he joined the militia and was sent back to New Guinea. Immediately he arrived, because of his knowledge of the island and its people, he was given special duties and became a member of the A.I.F. When the officer commanding the Australian units defending Kokoda against the first Japanese push was killed, Major Watson took over command of the Australians in the area. Later at Port Moresby he was offered a headquarters position, but he declined and “went bush” again. Now, three months later, he is still somewhere in New Guinea, unknown.