Vice Admiral Sir Robert Dymock Watson KCB CBE DL (5 April 1904 – 3 February 1988) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and South America Station.
Sir Dymock Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 April 1904[1] Farnham, Surrey |
| Died | 3 February 1988 (aged 84) Brecknock, Powys, Wales |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1918–1961 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Illustrious South Atlantic and South America Station |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Naval career
editWatson joined the Royal Navy in 1918.[2] He served in World War II as Assistant Director of Plans on the Joint Planning Staff from 1944.[2] After the War he was appointed to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet and then, in 1950, became Director of Plans at the Admiralty.[2] He went on to be Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious in 1953 and Flag Officer, Flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet in 1954.[2] He was made Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport in 1955 and Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and South America Station in 1958.[2] He made an official visit to Ladysmith[3] before retiring in 1961.[2]
Personal life
editHis grandson is the actor and comedian Humphrey Ker, who based his 2011 Edinburgh Fringe show Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher! on Watson's exploits in the Second World War.[5]
References
edit- ^ Who's Who of Southern Africa. Ken Donaldson (Pty.) Limited. 1959. p. 666.
- ^ a b c d e f Sir Robert Dymock Watson Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- ^ Naval Review, Vol. XLVII, No. 4, October, 1959, p. 473
- ^ Tudor 43
- ^ "Humphrey Ker Is Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher! Upstairs at the Three and Ten, Brighton, June 16". The Argus. Retrieved 27 November 2021.