In Memory of Reg.#16997, Joseph D. Watson

C A N A D A

'Friends Not Forgotten'

In Memory of Reg.#16997, Joseph D. Watson

RCMP and RCAF

Introduction:

Force Historian Jack White left us a message that Reg.#16997, Constable Joseph Douglas Watson joined the RCMP in 1951. He was transferred to  'L' Div. (PEI) where he purchased his discharge in 1953.

Most recently, Vet John Henderson of Ottawa has been researching Watson's life and career. John Henderson tells us that after the RCMP, Watson joined the RCAF. At some point in Watson's early RCAF career, he committed suicide.

Death of former Constable Joseph Douglas Watson, RCMP to RCAF 

John Henderson refers to author Art Klassen, who picks up the Watson story...

Art Klassen say; 'A pilot training with a T33 Jet at Southport decided one Sunday morning
[that] he had enough of life. He took off with his jet and climbed to an extreme height and then power nosed (sic) dived into the frozen ground. There was only a hole with some plane parts left to see. This happened a mile northwest of the Point next to the farm I was farming. I had some engine parts that I found in the spring near the spot and kept them for a number of years as a grim reminder of what happened'.

Source: It's About Time - Community Histories: Poplar Point & St. Marks. p.217

Copies are available from:

Poplar Point/St. Marks History Committee 2007
Box 174, Poplar Point, MB

R0H 0Z0

'Maintain our Memories'

J. J. Healy,

REg.#23685