Elliot Watson was born in Belfast, North Ireland on April 23, 1924, the eldest son of James Elliot Watson and Mary Elizabeth (nee Courtney) Watson, of 115 Proctor Street, Sarnia. Both parents, James and Mary, were born in Ireland. Two year-old Elliot and his mother Mary Elizabeth arrived in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 3, 1926, aboard the passenger ship Montcalm which had left Belfast, Northern Ireland. They were able to reunite with husband/father James Elliot, who was residing at 284 King Street, Hamilton, Ontario. The family would later move to Sarnia. Elliot had one sister, Marilyn, and one brother, Gerald T., who would also serve in the war as a Sergeant with the R.C.A.F. In May of 1944, brother Gerald would spend his furlough in Sarnia with his parents before returning to Three Rivers, Quebec.

Single at the time, Elliot Watson enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on his 18th birthday in April 1942. He trained at Hagersville, Winnipeg and graduated in May 1943 as a wireless air-gunner at Mossbank, Saskatchewan air force station. After graduating, Elliot would arrive in late May of 1943 to spend a furlough with his friends and family in Sarnia. Elliot would leave for overseas in September of 1943, sending a message to his parents in Sarnia of his safe arrival once there. He would be attached to air force units in Iceland, England and Scotland. He became a member of RCAF #162 Bomber Reconnaissance squadron “Sectabimur Usque Per Ima” (One time, one purpose), attaining the rank of Pilot Officer-Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Five weeks prior to his death, Elliot would spent a leave in Sarnia with his parents, family and friends. His brother Gerald, who was completing a furlough and was returning overseas, was able to spend a few hours with his brother Elliot between trains.

On July 29, 1944, Elliot was with his crew aboard Canso aircraft #11062 on an anti-sub patrol. The Canso aircraft was flying in bad weather when it flew into a hill and crashed on Foula Island, north-west of Scotland. Perishing with Pilot Officer-WAG Elliot Watson were F/O.s W.H. Lloyd, A. Hildebrand, and G.G. Bradshaw; P/O. J.E. Bowler; FS. R.W.E. Townsend; and WO. R.D. Harvey. FS. J.H. Knight survived. Elliot Watson would later be officially listed as, Killed in flying accident (anti-sub patrol), overseas (Iceland). Twenty year old Elliot Watson is buried in Lerwick New Cemetery, Shetland, United Kingdom, Terrace 7B. Grave 20.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, J, L, M, N, 2C, 2D