Obituary Watson

Donald William Thomas Watson, 1936 - 2011

Donald Watson was born in Sale Cheshire on 10th July 1936. After primary school he attended the local Grammar School then Sheffield University where he read Modern Languages. After graduating he studied in France and then at Kiel University Germany where he completed his doctorate.

He returned to the UK and took a post in the English Department of a very traditional Grammar School before being appointed to teach English at Forrest Hill one of the earliest London Comprehensive schools. He was appointed head of the English department and then head of the Modern Language Department. At Forrest Hill he achieved the unique distinction of ensuring that nearly all the students studied at least one foreign language before the age of 16 years. Having been appointed as Chief Examiner for O level German he became a well known speaker at in-service meetings of teachers.

In 1966 he was appointed a lecturer in the Department of Education at Manchester University. At the same time he took on the position of secretary of the Association of teachers of German, a post he held for 10 years. He was editor of the Associations first professional magazine “Treffpunkt”. Having been active in the Modern Language Association he served as Chairman and was a member of the Governments Schools Council. In 1970 he was appointed Senior Advisor (Inspector of Schools) with Lancashire County Council and in 1974 was appointed a Chief Advisor based in Bolton. His skills and contributions to education were recognised by the Privy Council who invited him to become their representative on the Court of Liverpool University. He was then honoured by the German Federal Government who awarded him the German Order of Merit for promoting Anglo- German understanding. He received his award in the presence of the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science at the German Embassy in London.

In 1975 Donald bought Rock Cottage in Beetham, Cumbria. As at that time he was working in Bolton he travelled by road daily. Having attended services in most of the local Anglican Churches he chose St Michael & All Angels Beetham because (to use his own words) “the form of worship was fairly high up the candle”. He served as a member of the Parochial Church Council for over 30 years and then Church Warden. for over 12 years. He was the PCC secretary for 10 years and then Lay Chairman. He was the Beetham church representative on Kendal Deanery Synod for 25 years and lay chairman for 12 years. As a member of Carlisle Diocesan Synod he joined the Diocesan Education Committee, the Diocesan Board for Ministry & Training, the Diocesan Board of Patronage, The Diocesan Parsonage Board and the Archdeacons Pastoral Committee. For six years he served as a Bishop’s selector and was the administrator of the Diocesan Continuing Education Scheme ( Appraisal Scheme)

Because of his considerable experience in the field of education he was the obvious choice as a Governor and then Chairman of Beetham C.of E. primary school and Vice Chairman of the Dallam School Governors in Milnthorpe.

He was invested as an officer of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem at Kirkby Lonsdale in 2002. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2008. He was invited to join the executive committee of the Cunbria Commandery where he took on the role of Commandery Marshal responsible for all local ceremonials, a post he filled with devotion and dignity

Donald Watson died on 23rd April 2011 after a relatively short illness and his funeral took place at St Michael & All Angels church in the presence of members of the Order wearing their mantles. The service was followed by a Christian burial.

He was a bachelor and leaves a sister, Heather, and her husband, Mark, who cared for him during his illness.

A.G.Thompson