Tony Watson (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tony Watson

8:27am Thursday 28th January 2010

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Great-grandfather Tony Watson from Brinkworth will be remembered at his funeral tomorrow at St Aldhelm’s Church in Malmesbury.

The 86-year-old spent more than 60 years in Brinkworth having moving to Wiltshire with the RAF in 1941 from his home in Stockport where he was born on February 6 1923.

After leaving school at 14 he began a life of work which didn’t finish until he retired two years ago at the age of 84. He first worked as a clerk in Manchester but joined Bomber Command during the Second World War where he spent time at RAF Lyneham.

Staying on after the war ended he became part of Transport Command and travelled the world witnessing both the Partition of India and the Berlin Airlift.

He left the airforce in 1957 and set up Watson Petroleum in Brinkworth, delivering fuel to farms and homes.

He continued to be involved long past normal retirement age and the company now employs 600 staff and his two sons are still involved in the business.

He and wife Audrey had four children, Sally, Margaret, Tony and Andrew who all live in or around Wiltshire.

Mr Watson also had eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

His son Andrew said working so long helped his Dad keep his mind active.

He said: “He was really interested in current affairs and knowing what was going on in the world.

“He loved to travel and got to see a lot during his time in the RAF.

“He enjoyed his work and it helped him to keep his mind active.”

Mr Watson died on January 19 in Gloucester Hospital.

His funeral takes place tomorrow at noon at St Aldhelm’s Catholic Church in Cross Hayes where he was a parishioner for 60 years.

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