Raymond Harold Watts was born 1914 in Nireaha, (9km west of Eketahuna in the Wairarapa), some say it is in the Manawatu, I lived in the area many years - I'm saying Wairarapa :)

His parents were, Harold Ernest WATTS (1881-1969), born in Wellington, died & buried in Palmerston North & Bertha Ellen Elizabeth DAYSH (1887-1970), born in Carterton, died & buried in Palmerston North

I only have 1 sibling at this time for Raymond, Myrtle Bertha Watts (1908-1997) who married Sydney Clinton SUTTON

Raymond married in 1938 (when he was 24) to Kathleen GARARD (1923-2008)
- nothing is known of her, I would like to know more, Can you help with parents, siblings etc. If you would like to share please leave message in comments below

Raymond & Kathleen had one child:
Patricia Mary Watts, who married John William West

Raymond served in WWII as Private 45920, with the Infantry Brigade, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF). His next of kin was his wife, K. M. Watts (wife), 450 Albert Street, Palmerston North. He died at sea on the ss Nino Bixio whilst a prisoner of war on 17 August 1942. He was 28. He is remembered at Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt

Kathleen remarried to William Ronald CHAPPELL (1924-1999)

NOTE
... 118 New Zealand prisoners of war died when the Italian transport ship Nino Bixio was torpedoed in the Mediterranean Sea by the British submarine HMS Turbulent