NEW Toronto’s Section Officer Irene Watson
It is 78 years this month since the tragic death of New Toronto’s Irene Watson, who enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and would become one of the first airwomen reported missing and killed in action.
Watson was a Globe and Mail correspondent and a stenographer-reporter for The New Toronto (South Etobicoke) Advertiser, one of Ontario’s largest weekly newspaper at the time.
CANSO aircraft like this in which Watson and other military personnel were killed in crash. Military photo.
She lived on Eighth Street and worked as a clerk at Silvert’s Shop before enlisting in February 1942 and requested to work in an administrative role.
Watson was born in England and lived in New Toronto with her family for 19 years. She attended New Toronto Public School and Mimico High School, where she excelled. She was the president of the Members’ Council, YWCA in Toronto from 1941-1942.
She was described ‘as a conscientious, keen and a progressive officer.” The RCAF said: “Watson has special qualifications training and aptitude for recruiting and doing valuable missionary work. In interests of recruiting, strongly recommend reconsideration of posting.”
MEDIA coverage of fatal crash.
Watson received a noteworthy commendation from Brigadier General John B. Brooks, of the U.S. Army, for organizing and presenting a show, songs and stories for stranded passengers.
Section Officer Watson was serving in Newfoundland as part of #116 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron during her last days. She and 11 others were flying in a Canso aircraft when the pilot attempted to land in bad weather and poor visibility.
Tragically, they crashed nose-first on a lake in Newfoundland. The plane sank right away and only five people aboard survived.
Watson was 24 when she was killed on November 8, 1943. She had been in the RCAF for just 21 months.
She is believed to one of the first airwomen in Canada to be reported missing and killed in active service. Sadly, she was declared dead but her body was never recovered.
NEWSCLIP of the fatal incident in Newfoundland.
Her name is inscribed on the Ottawa Memorial commemorating members of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives.
She is also one of only five women listed in Toronto’s Golden Book of Remembrance.
The City’s Golden Book of Remembrance pays tribute to those who perished in the Second World War. These books contain the names of service people from Toronto who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The book was officially dedicated by the City on December 28, 1947 and contains the names of servicemen and servicewomen from Toronto who gave their lives between 1939 and 1945.
Watson left behind two sisters and two brothers. One was Sgt.-Maj. David Watson, of the Tank Corps.