The Watson collection: Oxford University's remarkable WWII archive



On 15 August 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, Oxford University will publish The Watson Collection, an extraordinary archive of over 2,600 newly digitised wartime items that capture one of the most complete and personal accounts of the Second World War.

The collection, prepared by Dr Matthew Kidd, Departmental Tutor for the Advanced Diploma in Local History, will be freely available online as part of the Their Finest Hour project. It provides a rare dual perspective on the war: the harrowing experiences of Frank Watson, an RAF serviceman captured by Japanese forces in 1942, and the unwavering resilience of his wife May, who waited over four years for his return.

 A love story interrupted by war

Frank and May Watson married in Peckham in July 1938. When war broke out, they navigated blackout rules, air raids, and the constant threat of bombings. In December 1940, Frank was called up to the RAF, leaving May to face wartime Britain alone.

By July 1941, Frank was captured following the fall of Singapore, where he endured years of abuse in Java and Japan. Meanwhile, May wrote to him almost daily, many letters never sent, documenting the emotional toll and everyday struggles of wartime life at home.

While Britain celebrated VE Day in May 1945, Frank remained in captivity. His return months later marked the end of a long and painful chapter for both.

 

The Watson Collection includes:

  • Personal diaries and handwritten memoirs

  • Hundreds of letters between Frank and May

  • Official wartime documents and memorabilia

  • Rare photographs from both home and captivity

“This is an unusually complete picture of wartime life, both overseas and at home,” says Dr Kidd. “It’s incredibly rich, honest, moving - and essential for anyone interested in the human side of the war.”

Funded by Frank and May’s son, Andrew Watson, the digitisation makes the material freely accessible to the public for the first time via theirfinesthour.org.

From archive to classroom: Linking research and learning

For students of Oxford’s Advanced Diploma in Local History, archives like The Watson Collection are invaluable training grounds. The collection was put together by Dr Matthew Kidd, Course Leader for the Advanced Diploma in 2024/25, and is a rich resource for developing key historical skills. The course is designed to help students learn how to work with historical sources — from letters and diaries to maps and photographs, and develop the analytical skills needed to develop their understanding of the past.

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Published 8 August 2025