Hundreds mourn death of Sapper David Watson

Jan 20 2010 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

HUNDREDS of mourners gathered yesterday to pay their respects to a young soldier who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

Sapper David Watson was killed in an explosion on New Year’s Eve. He was 23.

Members of the public, servicemen, police officers and veterans stood along Front Street in Whickham, Gateshead, and outside St Mary’s Church.

Much of the town came to a standstill as the hearse carrying the coffin of the bomb disposal expert, draped in a Union flag, made its way under an overcast sky that seemed to reflect the mood in the streets where he grew up.

Shortly before 11.45am, the hearse led by a funeral director slowly made its way in near silence along the main road and through the mist.

Spr Watson’s family, including his parents Mal and Anne, walked behind the cortege as the heads of onlookers were bowed in respect.

When it arrived at St Mary’s, the coffin was carried on the shoulders of six servicemen past a guard of honour. Mourners followed it into the small church.

Those who couldn’t find room inside stood, side by side, in the graveyard and on the street outside. There the congregation stood motionless, despite the cold, as they listened to the service by the Reverend Barry Abbott over loudspeakers.

The service started with a rendition of the hymn I Vow to Thee My Country before tributes were read by Lance Corporal Ian Thompson and Lieutenant Colonel David Southall MBE. Addressing the congregation Lance Corporal Thompson said: "Davey joined the regiment in February last year and naturally he fitted in straight away. For any of you who didn’t know Davey very well I suspect you have formed an impression of a highly ambitious and enthusiastic soldier, one who was both well known and widely respected for his phenomenal fitness, one who was simply a cut above the rest and you would be right to form such an impression.

"Fighting men of such high calibre can sometimes be just a touch arrogant, but Davey Watson was the absolute opposite."

Spr Watson, who was a member of the 33 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, was killed on his first tour of duty as he tried to clear a roadside bomb in the Sangin area of Helmand province.