WATSON, Robert David (1919-)=

Modified on Thu, 24 Aug 2017 18:34 by Con — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - Students, Geelong College, Biography of War - World War II

WATSON, Dr Robert David (1919-)

David Watson, medical practitioner dedicated his training to helping others.

Born on 27 July 1919 in Tong Yung, Korea, youngest son of Reverend Robert Darling and Amy Elizabeth nee Beard, he was one of three brothers who attended Geelong College where he was enrolled as a boarder from 17 September, 1929 until December, 1937. He had previously attended Streatham State School. At College, he became a member of the 1st Football XVIII from 1934 to 1937, the 1st Cricket XI from 1936 to 1937 and the Athletics team from 1933 to 1937. He was also a School Prefect in 1937.

David Watson (Football, 1935).

David studied at the University of Melbourne with Trevor Laidlaw and John Forbes (both Old Geelong Collegians), all three being residents of Ormond College. He served from 23 August 1940 in the Melbourne University Rifles.
David finished his medical training towards the end of the war and was on his way to Brisbane prior to an overseas posting when the war ended. He had enlisted in the AIF with a posting to 2/4 LAA Regiment Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) as Captain R D Watson (No VX96334). He was discharged from 110 (Perth) Military Hospital on 20 June 1947.

He was a great friend of fellow Collegian, Trevor Laidlaw who married Betty Patricia nee Hedderwick. Trevor was killed in New Guinea during World War II. David later married his widow and was a great father to Trevor's daughter Belinda, as well as to his own four children.

David went to Vietnam as a civilian doctor during the Vietnam conflict to work in civilian hospitals. His two brothers, Donald McRae Watson (1914-1993) and John Kennedy Watson (1913-2006) also boarded at College. All three brothers became medical practitioners.

Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Second World War compiled by James Affleck. p537 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives; Watson Family Recollections; Photo Watson Family).