The Gateshead community of Whickham has united to fund a memorial bench for Sapper David Watson, a soldier killed in Afghanistan over 16 years ago, surpassing its £4,000 fundraising target.
Death on New Year's Eve
David Watson, a Royal Engineer from Whickham, was killed on New Year's Eve while attempting to disarm a Taliban bomb near Patrol Base Blenheim in the Sangin District of Helmand Province. He had volunteered to secure the area, demolishing walls used as firing positions by enemy forces when he was hit by an explosion. Despite being mortally wounded, he laughed and joked with medics during evacuation. He suffered a heart attack and died in the operating theatre at Camp Bastion.
Community Fundraising
Thousands attended his funeral, and his name was added to the Whickham war memorial—the first addition since World War II. However, no personal memorial existed until now. Organiser Jimi Tubman launched the campaign to purchase, install, and maintain a bench in Chase Park, Whickham. Tubman said, "David's Bench" would be a focal point for everyone in Whickham to remember the local hero. The fund has now passed its £4,000 target, with the bench set to provide a lasting tribute.
Family and Comrades' Tributes
David’s family said, "He always managed to achieve above and beyond the goals that he set for himself, often going that extra mile to achieve beyond the bounds of what was expected of him." Known as "The Leg" to friends, he joined the Royal Engineers at age 20 and served in counter-IED efforts. In 2013, six of his friends and comrades cycled over 500 miles in five days to raise funds for the Injured Soldiers Fund in his memory.
