Colonel John Watson dies at age 95
After Colonel Watson’s retirement in 1981, he pursued his goal of further serving the community and he stood for council in Benoni.
A former deputy mayor and mayor of Benoni, Colonel John Adrian Watson, died on October 5 at the age of 95.
Watson was born in Blanco, George, on July 1, 1924.
After completing school, he joined the Natal Mounted Rifles and served the South African Armed Forces in North Africa and Italy.
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While serving in Italy, his brother, Thomas Watson, was shot down at Warsaw on August 17, 1944, while serving as an airman on a Liberator bomber, dropping supplies to the Warsaw resistance at the time of the Warsaw uprising.
After Watson’s discharge from the army, he joined the South African Police Service on May 13, 1946, and while serving as station commander at Linbro Park, he met “Lulu” Smith, who was working at the Edenvale Post Office.
The couple married on May 19, 1950. Lulu became a homemaker and dedicated herself to the needs of her husband and family.
Together, they moved to various places as a result of Watson’s career, including Norwood, Sandown, Cradock, Windhoek and Welkom, prior to settling in Benoni in 1969.
During those years, six children were born from their union.
After Colonel Watson’s retirement in 1981, he pursued his goal of further serving the community and he stood for council in Benoni.
In 1982, he participated as an independent candidate in the municipal elections and was elected as a councillor.
He served as deputy mayor of Benoni in 1985/86 and mayor in 1986/1987.
Colonel Watson is described by his family as a caring, honest, hard-working person with great integrity.
He is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A timeline of Colonel Watson’s life:
• Born in Blanco, George, on July 1, 1924.
• After completing school, he joined the South African Army.
• Served the South African Armed Forces (Natal Mounted Rifles) in North Africa and Italy during World War II.
• Joined the SAPS on May 13, 1946, after leaving the army.
• Served at various police stations during his career, including Linbro Park, Norwood, Sandown, Cradock, Windhoek, Welkom, Germiston and John Vorster Square.
• Retired on June 30, 1981.
• Served on the executive committee of the Germiston SPCA for 14 years (1971 to 1985).
• Served on the executive committee of the Benoni Publicity Association (1980s).
• Served as manager of the Benoni Census Office for two census periods (1990s).
• Elected to the Benoni City Council (March 3, 1982) and served for 15 years.
• Served as Benoni’s deputy mayor (1985/86).
• Served as Benoni mayor (1986/87).
• Died on October 5, 2019.
