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Walter Oswald "Toby" Watt WWI-era photographs, 1914-1916

 Collection
Identifier: 2008-045

Scope and Contents

Photograph album consisting of 126 original captioned photographs capturing Walter Oswald "Toby" Watt's service in the French Aeronautique Militaire.

Dates

  • Creation: 1914 - 1916

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is owned by the University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections. Unpublished manuscripts are under copyright. Therefore, permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from both the repository and the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Walter Oswald Watt, usually called Oswald, although sometimes called Toby or Ossie was an Australian aviator in the early part of the 20th century. Living in Britain when the First World War broke out, he volunteered his services and his plane to the French, becoming an ordinary soldier in the Aviation Militaire section of the French Foreign Legion, although he was informally acknowledged by his former rank in the New South Wales Scottish Rifles. He was awarded the Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre. In 1916 he transferred to the newly formed Australian Flying Corps, becoming a squadron commander. By February 1918, Lt. Col. Watt commanded 4 squadrons of the Australian training wing at Tetbury, Gloucestershire. In 1919, he received an O.O.B.E. After the war, he was elected president of the New South Wales section of the Australian Aero Club. He remained highly involved with flying and improving safety for pilots. Watt drowned at Bilgola Beach, Newport, New South Wales, on 21 May 1921. The Oswald Watt Gold Medal is an Australian aviation award named for him, and is awarded for "A most brilliant performance in the air or the most notable contribution to aviation by an Australian or in Australia" by the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 album)

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

Collection shelved on 3rd floor.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase

Subject

Source

Title
Walter Oswald "Toby" Watt WWI-era photographs, 1914-1916
Status
Completed
Author
Milissa Burkart
Date
2013-09
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496