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Shropshire war Memorial
Paul Michael Watkins
Watkins, Paul Michael (17). Boy Entrant, 1924952, Royal Air Force. Died 28/05/1952.
Paul’s Brother, Chris Watkins kindly submitted the text below:
Paul Michael Watkins was born in the South Wales Town of Maesteg on 19th August 1934, the first child of Anne Henrietta (née Poole) and Iorwerth Watkins.
Like many other South Wales families at that time, they headed towards London for a better life, and Paul spent his childhood years during the war in the Berkshire village of Ashford Hill. He was later joined by a younger sister, Lyn (born 1944) and a younger brother Chris (born 1947).
Some time after school, Paul started an apprenticeship with Opperman Gears, supplier to various Air Ministry contracts including the deHaviland Mosquito, who had moved to Newbury in 1940 as part of the war effort. Perhaps it was this connection which led to him to consider joining the RAF.
Paul joined the RAF as a boy entrant (service Number 1924952) at RAF Cosford. Boy entrants received an 18 month training.
A short while later his family was told that he had contracted yellow jaundice and pneumonia, and he died on May 28th 1952, aged 17 Yrs.
His family were forever at a loss to understand.
Copyright Neil Evans & Chris Watkins 2009-
