Frank Watkins

Early life Watkins was born in Dargaville, a town in the North Island of New Zealand, but grew up in Ruawai, a small farming community located a few miles away. After completing High School, Watkins moved to Wellington where he worked for the Native Lands Office. Following the outbreak of the Second World War and at the age of 18, Watkins enlisted in Royal New Zealand Air Force on 1 December 1940.

Second World War Watkins sailed for Britain in June 1941. He was initially posted to No. 106 Squadron RAF where he flew five operations on Manchesters, and one with OTU, and then 21 operations flying Wellingtons with No. 150 Squadron RAF based at Snaith, Yorkshire.

On the evening of 20 December 1942, Watkins was flying his Wellington on a mission headed for Duisburg, in the Ruhr. Flying with Watkins that evening was navigator John Carter, a squadron leader with a Distinguished Flying Cross. In a letter written from Stalag Luft III on 5 January 1943 to the commanding officer of No. 156 Squadron, Tommy Rivett-Carnac, Carter described how they had taken direct flak directly over the target, with the bomb aimer Bill Brook-Norris being severely wounded. Watkins and Brook-Norris were found in the crash remains in the target area and now lie together in the Reichswald Forest Cemetery. Watkins was 20 years old.

Recommendation for the Victoria Cross In Carter's letter to Rivett-Carnac, he wrote:

Had he not been so devoted to his friend he could have saved his own life by leaving the dying [bomb aimer] to his fate. Yet he refused to do this and attempted the alternative crash landing ... his life was forfeited in the crash ... He willingly and selflessly gave his life in a forlorn effort to save his friend ... his actions were the most outstanding example of ... sacrifice. I am inspired by his memory. At the time, the VC and Mentions were the only military gallantry awards made posthumously.