Crowds line streets for ‘true hero’ David Watson

Jan 6 2010 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

A NORTH serviceman killed in an explosion in Afghanistan has been returned home to his family.

The body of Tyneside soldier Sapper David Watson was flown back to the UK from Afghanistan yesterday.

Ministry of Defence officials said that Sapper David Watson’s family travelled from their home in Whickham, Gateshead, to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to see his return.

Sapper Watson was brought back on a military transport plane along with the remains of Rifleman Aiden Howell.

Sapper Watson’s coffin, covered with a Union flag, was carried from the plane by six soldiers in military dress. A private ceremony was conducted at the base for the two families.

Following the ceremony the two coffins were driven through the town of Wooton Bassett.

Hundreds of mourners and well wishers lined the main route to pay their respect to the fallen heroes.

The two men were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a post-mortem examination.

Sapper Watson lost his life on New Year’s Eve when he was caught in an explosion in the volatile Sangin region of Helmand Province.

The bomb disposal expert was attempting to carry out a controlled explosion on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which had been placed near to his base.

The 23-year-old was on his first tour of the troubled country and working as part of a team specialising in the highly dangerous task of identifying IEDs and disabling them.

The men are among the growing list of service personnel killed in the country since October 2001. Since then 213 servicemen or MOD civilian workers have been killed as a result of enemy action. Sapper Watson’s family had previously paid tribute to him describing him as a ‘true hero’.

A statement released by the family said: “He lived his dream and did what a true soldier is ready to do for his country, a true hero.

“The Army was his career which he loved the most and his achievements whilst serving in the Army show his genuine commitment and determination to serve his country proud.

“David was a proud and very much loved uncle of Michael. Michael would often ask to be lifted high in the sky, now he will be regularly reminded that David has joined the stars above, giving hope and inspiration to those that hear of his story.”

Sapper Watson was noted his comrades and instructors for his physical prowess.

He was affectionately called “The Leg” for his love of running.

Rifleman Howell died just days before Sapper Watson.

The 19-year-old was killed by an IED in the Kajaki area of Helmand province.