Watt, Oswald, 1878-1921.

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.