Emlyn Watkins
Emlyn Watkins served in the Royal Air Force and was a navigator in a Lancaster bomber. He was lost in action on the night of the 4th December 1943 during an aerial battle over Leipzig, which was being heavily bombed.
Note that although his full name is Arthur Emlyn Watkins he was generally known as Emlyn, and is remembered as such upon the memorials.
The information on Emlyn Watkins has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | Arthur Emlyn Watkins |
| Date of Death | 4th December 1943 |
| Place of Death | Leipzig |
| Age at Death | 21 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 115 Sqdn. |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service Number | 1601336 |
| Local Memorials |
Scouts Memorial Trophy, Penrhiwvarteg Cwmllynfell War Memorial, Cwmllynfell Millennium Hall |
| Memorial | SingapoRUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL – SURREY UK; Panel 168 |
| Notes | Son of John E. and Florence M. Watkins of School House, Cwmllynfell, Glamorgan. |
From the South Wales Voice, 11th December 1943
CWMLLYNFELL WAR CASUALTIES
Official notification has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John E Watkins, School House, Cwmllynfell that their son, Sergeant Emlyn Watkins, is missing. He was the navigator of a bomber, which did not return from last Friday’s raid on Leipzig.
From the South Wales Voice, 19th February 1944
CWMLLYNFELL AIRMAN KILLED
One of five brothers in the RAF
Sergeant Arthur Emlyn Watkins, one of 5 RAF sons of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Watkins, School House, Cwmllynfell who was previously reported as missing is now reported as killed in action. The International Red Cross Statement gives the sad information that all 7 of the crew of the Lancaster Bomber of which Sergeant Watkins was the navigator, perished in the action, which took place in the great Leipzig raid on the night of December 3-4, 1943. Aged 21 Sergeant Watkins was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins and was extremely well liked throughout the district
From the South Wales Voice, 26th February 1944
EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY
At the weekly meeting held by wardens of the Church Minor Hall, Post Warden Illytd Rees referred to the sad loss sustained by Post Warden J E Watkins and Mrs. Watkins, School House, Cwmllynfell, caused by the death of their son Navigator Emlyn Watkins in a recent action over Germany……..All present stood in silence in sympathy which is shared by all members of local Civil Defence units.