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Captain (Chaplain) Robert Watt
British Army 1st Dorsets
from:Helensburgh, Scotland
My father, Rev Robert Watt was the Chaplain on D day to the 1st Dorsets landing on Gold Beach.
He was born in Helensburgh on 5th Jan 1917. He was a member of the Helenburgh Amateur Swimming Club which stood him in good stead when his landing craft was hit as it approached the beaches. When asked later if there were any atheists aboard his landing craft he said certainly not on that day!
The funniest story Dad told me was when he went out to do a burial and he slipped and fell into the grave. His sergeant laughed and told him that he better get out and don't lose the Union flag!
Dad told me of another time when he "captured" some Germans. He was out on a burial patrol when he was suddenly surrounded by 40-50 Germans. Dad thought, "oh no that is me captured" He went up to the German officer but before he could surrender the German surrended his soldiers to Dad! The padre then marched them back to base!
Dad went on to be part of the team who liberated Brussels. He ended up in Luneburg. After Germany he served in India and in the early 50's in Malaya with the Cameronians.
In 1952 he left the Army and was a Church of Scotland Parish Minister in Fife, then Perthshire and finally in Aberdeen.
Dad died in Bannockburn Hospital on Boxing Day 2008. As his son I am proud of him and all his fellow soldiers who helped liberate Europe on 6th June 1944.
I was in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service in the Cold War Years and I proudly wear my medal with those that Dad and others so gallantly earned all these years ago.
