REGINALD SCOTT WATSON : Scott.
Scott was born in East London (SA) on the 22nd of January 1914. He married Irene Olive Forbes (b PE 20/6/1913) in Port Elizabeth on the 29th July 1944.
They had a son and a daughter.
He died on the 12th December 1989 in Port Elizabeth.
The following is an extract from a tribute to Scott Watson at his funeral. I do not know its author.
Scott was like furniture and fittings in this church. I still cannot believe that I shall not again see him standing in that front doorway of the church. …
CHURCH WARDEN:
On his retirement Scott became our Church Warden. His duties many a time involved Olive as well.
In his duties supervising our buildings and the care of the property, Scott was totally reliable, totally devoted to his task. Everyone knew him – indeed it constantly amazed me that Scott also knew everyone ! His was the first face that many people saw here. He was genial, kind and helpful. I have not often met such an even-tempered person. I never saw him angry or upset and I admired the grace with which he encountered problems of any kind, coming up smiling every time.
HIS LIFE:
Scott was born in East London – one of five brothers. ….Scott went to school at Selbourne (sic) and at Dale College, King Williamstown. After school he went to the Transvaal to work on the mines until he joined the Navy during the war.
His service in the Navy took him up and down the coast and on one visit to Port Elizabeth he was here long enough to meet Olive and become engaged to her. On a subsequent visit they were married:
Back he went to sea sailing on a North Sea Fishing Trawler to Plymouth and serving as 1st Lieut. Olive says he spent the war years without seeing a shot fired in anger.
Later he was “de-mobbed” in Johannesburg and went back to the mines. From there he came back to P. E. to work in the family Shipping business. [The family shipping business was Forbes and Sons, the connection being through Olive's father]. When that closed down he and Olive returned to the Transvaal only to come back very happily to this city when Scott went to work for Freight Services. There he stayed for 10 years until retirement. [I am not sure how accurate this timing is].
INTEREST:
Scot was a fisherman and a member of the angling club. He and Olive were also fond of ballroom dancing. Scott was a great Moth, and was a foundation member of his Shellhole....
The tribute ends with him being a family man and some religious references.
