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584 Major D.Watson
David or more popularly known as 'Pundy' Watson was awarded the Primus Medal in 1922. He exemplified one of the early aims of the School i.e. to produce potential Schoolmasters, in that when he left the School in 1 926 he completed Army Teacher Training and then followed a career in the Army Education Corps, serving until 1955. He was a fervent supporter of initially the Old Boy's Association and subsequently the OVA. On leaving the Army he continued his work as an educationalist, employed by Essex Further Education Committee. During his retirement he maintained his links with both School and Association, visiting and corresponding even after his 90th birthday. David gave great service to Education throughout his working life
and always expressed his pride in the School. He passed away peacefully on 17 November 2000.
1395D.Macl.ean
David was at the School from 1928-32 and served in the Cameron Highlanders during World War 2. His family having emigrated to Australia, he was attracted to a complete change of life and went 'down under' as well, settling with the family in Perth, thus gaining another family, the Western Australia detachment of the OVA! Readers of the 2000 VICTORIAN may recall that David was not too fit when we were in Perth for OZ99 so Tom Hunter (2384) and I took QVS to him in a 2 hour visit at his home, an emotional but much appreciated afternoon. Sadly David passed away on 5th October 2000. Tom, Peter Richmond (1750) Stuart Foirbairn (2097) and his wife Jenny represented The School and OVA at his very Scottish funeral during which the 23rd Psalm was sung to the tune of Amazing Grace; very appropriate given in Stuart's presence.
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1798 G.Cameron
George was one of the many boys from QVS who joined the Army as an apprentice at the age of 15. He did so in 1941, joining what was then known as the Army Technical School, Aborfield. He trained as an Armourer and mustered into the RAOC, subsequently to transfer to REME on its formation. He served in Singapore, Malaya, Egypt, BAOR, Malta and Cyprus, retiring in 1966 after almost 26 years service. A very significant amount of that time was spent as Armourer in the Royal Berkshire/Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment from 1953-65. During that period his skill at maintaining the Regiment's weapons was demonstrated as it won the Army Machine Gun competition for 5 consecutive years.
On leaving the Army he was employed by Ferranti as a computer weapons designer, finally retiring in 1991 to enjoy his family plus some golf and recording militaria on his computer. He always expressed his pride in the School and took active part in the meetings of the London Branch. He died on 9th September 2000.
1816J.Calderwood
Brigadier Bob Tweedy introduced John Calderwood to the OVA, having met him and another 0V, Mike Melloy (1679) in Perth. Both served in the Black Watch, John in the latter years of World War 2, staying on in Germany until discharged in 1948. Needless to say their meeting with Bob resulted in almost instant membership of the OVA! After discharge John worked for British Rail for 42 years, retiring as a Senior Conductor in 1990. John became a regular visitor to the School, especially on Grand Day but sadly not this year as he died aged 74 on 9 April.
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2277 Lt Col B. F. Williamson
The three Williamson Brothers contributed significantly to QVS life in the 1 940s particularly as sportsmen. Sadly that reputation can only live as a memory as the last brother, Brian (Jock) passed away on 1 st December 2000 after a brave fight against Cancer. The Williamsons were a Dunblane family, in fact a QVS family, their Grandfather, Lt Col MacRae, was Admin Officer at the School from 1922- 30. At school I remember Brian as an elegant but, when necessary, ferocious boxer, a rugby player of considerable talent and a potential leader even in his early teens. Indeed his ambition took him away from QVS earlier thanmight have been expected when, in 1953, he became the first boy from the School to go to Wellbeck College. Whilst atWellbeck his rugby prowess was demonstrated through selection
for the Scottish Schoolboys International team. He qualified to enter Sandhurst and was Commissioned in the RAOC in 1957.
Within the RAOC Brian opted to specialise in the ammunition field and qualified as an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO), serving in BAOR and, of course, in Northern Ireland. Indeed the only time our paths crossed during our respective careers was on a July night in North Belfast in 1976. Through the smoke and flames of an enormous explosion appeared the face and voice that seemed familiar. It was Jock the ATO, ready to take over the incident and carry out the necessary procedures at the scene of crime. What a place to have an 0V reunion for two! His was a dangerous life and he lived it with the same bravery I referred to above.
Away from his work rugby took up most of his time, playing and coaching at unit level and representing his Corps, the RAOC. His career was marked by promotions up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and he was latterly employed as Deputy Commander Recruiting North East Region. A great sportsman and a courageous soldier is sadly missed.
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