Page 152 - Chronicle Vol 17

LIEUTENANT COLONEL G B WATKINS MBE
Lt Col (QM) Glyndwr Brian Watkins MBE died on Thursday 12th January 2023 aged 83 at Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Glyn was an excellent professional soldier, always on top of his job and always ready with help and advice; in return he expected the highest standards. For much of his service he was supported by his wife Jean.
Following initial training Glyn reported to 1 SCLI at Osnabruck where he imme- diately struck some as being a ‘cut above’. Having enlisted in the summer of 1960 he had advanced to Corporal by late 1961 and by 1965 was a Sergeant instructor at the Light Infantry Depot. Service in Aden with 1 SCLI followed and soon after the formation of the Light Infantry he was promoted to CSgt within 1 LI where frequent tours of Northern Ireland were mounted from Lemgo.
As a result of his efficiency, conduct and all-round capability Glyn Watkins was selected for WO2 rank in 1972. He subsequently transferred to 3 LI in Minden, in 1974, as RQMS. With a proven pathway to WO1 he became RSM 3 LI (1975-77) at a time that included further tours of Northern Ireland. By 1981 Glyn had gained a QM’s commission, having been first commissioned in November 1977. QM (Tech) duties with 1 LI led Glyn to commanding Echelon at Musgrave Park from May – September 1973 during one of the many Op BANNER tours. Major exercises in BAOR were experienced in 1984 before Glyn assumed QM (Maint) duties from Maj (QM) Peter Luxton prior to an Arms Plot move to Weeton.
During his tour with 1/7 GR Glyn was awarded the MBE (1987) and was also briefly on the strength of the Light Division Depot in mid-1989. His final appoint- ment began in 1991, in the rank of Lt Col, where he held the appointment of Staff QM at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham.
Glyn left the Army in June 1994 and lived for a while in the Channel Islands before moving to Australia. In more recent years he maintained contact with the Taunton Branch of the Association as a ‘postal’ member.
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