Ruth Patricia Watson – British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

One of two British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force members who were killed in an automobile accident in Washington, D.C. on November 16, 1943. She was later taken to George Washington Hospital, District of Colombia. She died of her injuries on 16 November 1943. She and the other, Monica P. Daventry, are buried beside one another in Section 15 of Arlington National Cemetery.

WAAFS BURIED AT CAPITAL
Two Victims of Auto Accident Are Interred at Arlington

WASHINGTON, November 19, 1943 – Two members of the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, killed in an automobile accident, were buried today in Arlington National Cemetery, the first foreign service women to be interred at the national shrine.

Section Officer Monica M. Daventry of Worcester, England, and Section Officer Ruth P. Watson of Hampstead, England, were en route home from duty last Tuesday night when fatally injured.

Their coffins, draped with the Union Jack and banked with flowers, were carried into the Fort Myer Chapel, where United States chaplains conducted the services.

A detail of American soldiers served as pallbearers, with twelve members of the Waves as honorary pallbearers.

In Memory of
Section Officer RUTH PATRICIA WATSON
Women’s Aux. Air Force who died aged 26 on Tuesday, 16th November 1943
Section Officer WATSON was the daughter of Captain E. C. Watson R.N.
and Philippa Watson, of Hampstead, London, England.

Remembered with honour ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Virginia, United States of America.

In the perpetual care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard