Sapper Dave Watson

Sapper David Watson was born on 28 October 1986, brought up in Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne, and joined the Royal Engineers in February  2007.

Known to his friends as 'The Leg',  Dave deployed on Op HERRICK 11 as a Number 3 Operator in a Conventional Munitions Disposal Team as part of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group within the UK Counter IED Task Force.

Sapper Dave Watson died on 31 December 2009 from wounds sustained in an explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device in the vicinity of Patrol Base Blenheim in the Sangin region of Helmand Province.

His friend,Lance Corporal Charles Best, paid the following tribute to him:
"Sapper David Watson, 'The Leg', was probably one of the most professional and fittest soldiers I have met to date. "I really got to know this huge structure of a man when we completed P Company together. He was always willing to do anything for anyone, even if he was already busy with other tasks. 
With a bad knee injury from Pre Para, he just worked harder and was rewarded with the Top Student on our course, breaking the existing record for points scored. 
You made such an impact on my life in such a short space of time, it is an honour to have been your friend and to have served with you, my thoughts are with your family and friends, take it easy mate." 

 Sapper Stu Little, another friend and colleague also paid tribute:
"Dave 'The Leg' Watson had many moments of distinction in his short time with us, but this one sticks in my mind the most.
After successful completion of P Company, the blokes who had passed were taken down town to take part in a time honoured ritual.
2 Chicken Phal's were ordered and Dave and Besty commenced eating. He destroyed it in seconds with his typical no fuss manner whilst Besty struggled in agony. True to the spirit of the man he took the remainder of Besty's Phal and smashed that down as well.
Nothing you can say or write will be able to justify how good a soldier he was and how much he was one of the lads.
We will all miss you Dave and we will always remember you."

Profile photo courtesy of the MOD.