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| 13 Jul 2023 | |
| Written by Cait Spencer | |
| Obits |
David Leonard John Watts JP MA(Oxon) FRICS
Dates: 11 May 1937 to 14 August 2022
BGS: 1945-1955
Please click here to read the School's tribute to David.
Biography provided by David's brother, Peter Watts.
On 11th May 1937 the third child of Len and Olive Watts of Bishopston arrived. Christened David Leonard John he was afforded the privilege of being given his father’s Christian names albeit following that of a much-respected Saint – an accolade many will say he lived up to in many ways during his life.
Very early he was diagnosed with polio and his legs put in calipers. When war broke out Len, owner of a significant firm between the wars building houses in and around Bristol (Cheriton Place and Russel Grove and a large artisan estate in Dursley), employing up to 300 men, having fought in the First World War was already too old to be called up. However, he and Olive had prepared well for it. Their “war work” as they described it, was to stay in Bristol and support the local community. In addition Len became a local Air Raid Warden and Olive joined the Red Cross ending us as a colonel. They sent David’s older siblings, Angela and Laurie, in the company of a nanny to Uley, Gloucestershire to a house they had purchased with a cellar where they thought the children had a better chance of surviving the likely invasion and hopefully hold out until the Americans arrived. Thankfully invasion never materialised but the horror of the Blitz at home in Bristol certainly did. Given his younger age and his polio, David had to stay with his parents in Bishopston and spent many hours in the Anderson air raid shelter at the back of the house on Gloucester Road while his parents were busy in the Bishopston community including feeding and tending in their church halls the endless columns of our evacuated army from Dunkirk making their way up the Gloucester Road. Doubtless this is when David started to develop one of his strongest characteristics, patience, while he had to endlessly entertain himself. Besides reading and jigsaw puzzles, a favorite pastime was to pour over the silhouetted illustrations of enemy aircraft depicted on the sheets published by the Air Ministry and absorb them in great detail. It was vital that as many as possible, especially gunners, could distinguish hostile aircraft from our own, especially at night.
With the war turned the Allies way, in 1944 Len bought Number 25 Henleaze Gardens, Angela and Laurie had come back from Uley, David was out of calipers, and everyone settled into the new home and looked forward to the forthcoming peace. Hope springs eternal because while peace might have come to Europe and the Pacific, the quiet in Henleaze Gardens was rudely disturbed by the arrival at the end of 1945 of a baby, yours truly, when David was eight and a half.
My first memories of David were that he was the one who played with me the most. After lunch on Sundays he was detailed to take me somewhere in the push chair to give the house some peace and quiet. Too young to have any say, David decided where; but I quickly learnt that if we turned left we would be going to the Downs and probably the Zoo and if right, to Filton Aerodrome where David could indulge his fascination with aircraft by watching the comings and goings. As I got older, we played more and more board games together. There was of course no television until the mid-50’s. I was also allowed to help launch his model Kiel Kraft aeroplanes on the Downs.Laurie had developed into a naturally gifted sportsman and encouraged David remorselessly to join him in mucking about with bats and balls. This undoubtedly laid the roots of the development of further characteristics, determination, determination to overcome the natural handicap Polio had given him and will-power not to let his older brother get physically too much the better of him.
Our garden was narrow but long enough to set up a cricket wicket in the summer and the two of them would regularly be whacking a tennis ball about. I was strictly forbidden to participate as the size of the garden didn’t really need a fielder - until I was a little older and they started hitting sixes. Then it was all change. I was promised the earth if I retrieved the ball and I soon got quite good at gauging which front door I had to knock on and deliver the well-rehearsed words, “ Excuse me, but please may I have my ball back?” Fool that I was, note that the words were my ball, not even our ball and certainly not my brothers’ ball!
They also both played social cricket for the Old Bristolians (Bristol Grammar school Old Boys) even turning out for the Sunday sides during term time. They each benefitted from their father’s reward scheme - £1 for a hundred runs and 10 shillings for 50 (10 shillings was half a pound to you youngsters at a time when one and a half shillings, that’s just 7 and a half pence in current money, would have bought a pint of beer at the bar). David concedes that Laurie would have earnt more overall, but he certainly took a few pounds from Dad albeit at the rate of 10 shillings a time.
Laurie was just caught by National Service which of course lasted two years, which he opted to serve in the Army straight after leaving school before going up to Oxford. David finished school two years later and gained a place at Oxford but now encountered his first major disappointment in life. He was anxious to do his National Service in the RAF which would get him closer to his beloved aeroplanes, but due to having had polio, he was classed 3C medical wise which meant automatic exclusion. A bitter pill to swallow given that he had no choice in the matter. It was a failure imposed on him by fate and no fault of his own. It won’t come as a surprise that no one ever heard him moan about it. This due to another characteristic, his inbuilt stoicism and self-control. I had to drag that disappointment out of him years later. On that characteristic I would add that in all the years I knew him, I never heard him raise his voice in anger or ever say, ‘why me’? Even when diagnosed with prostate cancer.
It must have been extremely difficult being just two years younger and at the same schools and University and constantly in the shadow of an older brother who went on to become a locally, and to a degree, nationally acclaimed sportsman. A lesser man could have been resentful and caused family disruption. But not David, that never affected their relationship. They were close friends until Laurie’s sudden and premature death in August 1997, seven years after the death of his wife, Wendy. (Note, When Laurie and John Curry gained Blues in 1958, Headmaster Mr Garrett gave the school a half holiday so everyone could watch the match on BBC television)
David made some very close friendships at school. Those friendships endured throughout their lives – albeit some lives, such as Michael Davis, Martin Stroud and Tat Ratcliffe were shorter than others such as Malcolm Grant, who died just after David at exactly the same age, whilst Eric Stride and perhaps the closest of all, Michael Barnes, are still with us. The same applied to his entry year at Keble. I never met them, but I know they held informal reunions every year (covid excepted), despite their diminishing numbers.
After a brief look at Industry through the eyes of Hoover, David joined our now ailing father in an Estate Agency business which Len had set up to help an old friend. Somewhere about now David also met the daughter of Reg and Wyn March, Sue, a lovely local ex Clifton High School girl, who lived just round the corner from the family home. They became engaged and married at St Mary Magdalene Church, Stoke Bishop on 10th August 1963 .
Post marriage marital bliss was turned on its head when less than two months after their wedding Len died of a final heart attack. By now Angela had been long married with 4 children and was farming in West Somerset. Laurie was in business based in South Wales. I’m a kid of 17 still living with mum at home and mother’s income depended on the rents from father’s property portfolio most of which was from the houses which he had built in Dursley before the war. Ever since they were built, Father had visited each tenant every week, usually Mondays, including during the war. He would speak personally with each tenant, note any problems, and collect the rent. Mother had not driven for many years. She also didn’t know much about property. David of course stepped into the breach. Besides running the entire portfolio in his own time, he took on the role of rent collector every Monday evening. In those days the only stretch of M5 open was between Cribbs Causeway and Almondsbury so it was A38 all the way there and back. Only Sue can tell you what time David got home for supper on Monday Evenings. This is when David’s characteristics of loyalty and duty further manifested themselves to the family. The last of that property portfolio was sold in 2017 but managing agents had replaced David many years before.
Sue had been a stalwart for many years of the Kelvin Players where she was known particularly for comic roles. I was invited to join and in 1965 in a particularly successful and Rose Bowl award winning production of Johnny Belinda, David, Sue and I all appeared on stage simultaneously and there is a photograph to prove it.
During the late 60’s David’s and my friendship became closer in more ways than one. For the best part of two seasons he and I played together in the Old Bristolians rugby First Fifteen. He was a second row forward (lock) and I was the Number 8 so at scrum time it was my unenviable duty to place my right cheek against his left buttock! That ended when I went off to Commercial Flying school in January 1968 which was the beginning of my 11 years away from Bristol. In March 1975 David did me the honour of being my Best Man. Later that year in October, I was delighted to be able to make David’s day by arranging for him to sit behind me on the jump seat in the flight deck of a Dan Air Comet 4 when I was the co- pilot on a flight from Bristol to Malaga and back. An experience he never forgot, and I was so pleased to have been able to give him. In a quirk of fate, David continued playing rugby to an older age than either Laurie or me.
The 70’s were important development years for David and Sue. They had started their family with Duncan arriving in 1965 and Dan in 1968, they moved to Clifton Wood and David joined as negotiator what was then known as John E Pritchard, a firm of Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents in Queens Road. The partners recognised that he had partnership potential but he must first qualify as a Chartered Surveyor. Being a graduate, he could take a direct final but that meant hours of study and in in his own time. This time there was no time to party! David knuckled down, passed and was soon given the opportunity to purchase the partnership of Ken Trotman and the firm was renamed Pritchard and Company. There are many in this City who will have bought or sold their home, often several times over, through David. He often moved people who didn’t know they wanted to move until he showed them something they wanted as soon as they saw it. A technique he passed to his sons; Duncan selling high end specialist motor cars and Dan in executive recruitment. Each becoming very successful in their chosen fields. I once asked David why he didn’t do what so many Estate Agents were doing and probably still do, to take the opportunity of buying property to then have them “done up” and then re- sell. His answer was typically David. “People trust me to give a fair valuation because they know I don’t personally trade in property." David was indeed an honest Estate Agent and a very successful one.
This permitted some precious time to develop in other social spheres. Two partners, Arthur Stubbs and Dennis Bullimore were members of Bristol Round Table, just one of the hundreds of Round Table clubs in the country which were and still are, devoted to promoting fellowship and service to the community for like-minded young men under the age of 40 (now 45). The movement spread rapidly through Europe and the Commonwealth. Bristol Table then had a membership of well over 100 young men all living and working in the vicinity of Bristol. David was accepted as a member and likewise Sue into the sister club for members’ wives, Bristol Ladies Circle. Their social life took off.
In 1969 our widowed mother Olive had married Old Bristolian and very successful Bristol businessman and Bristol Rotarian, Philip Maggs. He was a great character and looked after mother very well. When asked what Olive had given him as a wedding present, he instantly replied “four stepchildren and 10 grandchildren”. Philip became the only grandfather on Mother’s side that all but probably just one of the grandchildren can remember. He died in 1976 but having recognised his integrity, he asked David to be his executor. Whilst Philip had assured us that his estate would keep mother comfortable for the rest of her life, on her death, all his capital would pass to his blood relatives. Given these circumstances and the potential for future recriminations, it was very brave of David to accept the task. However, he did and did it so well and so fairly that when the estate was finally settled after mother’s death in 1997 and the accounts and the residual capital handed over, David received a letter of thanks from those beneficiaries for the very fair way he had completed the task.
In the mid 1980’s Bristol City Council planned for large areas of the now closed City Docks to be re-developed mainly with residential accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes. They had therefore refused an application for an industrial development on a specific site from a major institution which then appointed another local firm of surveyors to lead their appeal. Knowing that one industrial development would open the door for many more, Dudley Lewis, the City Clark (now known as The Chief Executive), in his capacity as Chairman of the Docks committee, sought an expert witness to assist them in defeating that appeal. Sharing that vision, David was appointed and worked closely with Dudley (who he had previously never met), to construct their case; and they won. Decades later our Harborside is now a desirable destination and not a duplication of industrial units such as along the Feeder. David never talked about that achievement he never blew his own trumpet. I heard it personally from Dudley many years after Dudley’s retirement. The pair of them did our city a great service.
Pritchard and Company merged with another local firm and became Hoddell Pritchard which continued to be successful and was bought out by a large Insurance company. As a high equity partner, David received a very handsome golden goodbye and found he could retire before reaching 50 at least 5 years earlier than previously targeted. and still finish putting Duncan and Daniel through Clifton College.
Exotic travel and long sojourns at the newly acquired holiday home in Noss Mayo commenced but sadly did not last. Following an invasive operation when just 52, Sue was left with chronic pain which prevented her from being able to travel for long periods nor continue attending the myriad of social functions which had become such a part of their lives. With typical stoicism and graciousness David accepted this and threw himself virtually full time for over 20 years into serving four local Voluntary organisations. Bristol Grammar School, The Old Bristolians Society, Bristol Municipal Charities and Bristol Rotary Club
It's no surprise that when leaving Table under the strict age rule (then the AGM following the 40th birthday), besides being automatically enrolled in the Past Round Tablers’ Club known as 41 Club, David wanted to continue the Community Service aspect of Round Table. So, in 1978 David had already followed many Bristol Tablers’ before him and joined Bristol Rotary Club.
David played an increasingly important part in fund-raising activities within Bristol Rotary club. His connection with Bristol Grammar School resulted in several events being held in the BGS Great Hall – highlights being a dinner with entertainment from singers from the Welsh National Opera and, in contrast, an Abba tribute night – these events together raised thousands of pounds for good causes, particularly towards Rotary International’s desire to eradicate Polio from the planet. David was also always ready and willing to use his skills as an auctioneer at Rotary functions whenever called upon to do so - for example he is remembered for having organised a memorable Henry Olonga sports dinner at Clifton Rugby club in aid of Baraburi school in Nepal which raised £2,500.
David was Chairman of the Foundation Committee for many years from 2001 onwards. This also included activities such as organising a programme for a Group Study Exchange team from the USA visiting Bristol and organising welcomes for overseas students arriving in Bristol, He remained a very active Rotarian and, whenever his health permitted, he attended as many Monday club meetings as possible. As recently as the end of May he enjoyed his last Fellowship visit to Avonmouth and Portbury docks with other members of Bristol Rotary club.
In 1993 David took the opportunity to practice some law by joining the magistracy, only retiring under the age rule of 70 when he joined the retired Bristol Magistrates lunch club. To reach the courts he invariably walked from home down to Hotwells and took the ferry into the City returning by the same route. Doubtless during those journeys he took great pleasure in watching the positive development of the harbouside which he had so significantly contributed to ensuring.
David had been appointed a Governor of Bristol Grammar School in 1984 and retired in 2007 under the same age rule which he had replicated from the Magistracy. During those 23 years culminating in 5 years as chairman, he will have been closely involved with the school’s continued development, from refurbishment and re-roofing of existing buildings including Great Hall, the construction of new ones, the appointment of two headmasters and the acquisition of new school playing fields at Failand. On top of this were the complicated negotiations which resulted in BGS as well as QEH and Red Maids individually withdrawing from the umbrella of Bristol Municipal Charities. This was a momentous decision for all three schools since from 2004 they each became financially independent and would sink or swim by their own efforts alone. It will come as no surprise that David was also a Trustee of Bristol Municipal Charities, Now Bristol Charities. His special interest was in the management, refurbishment and acquisition of their portfolio of Almshouses.
Since leaving school David had been a member of the Old Bristolians’ Society, serving on the committee for many years as Secretary and Chairman. He was afforded the honour of the Presidency in 2007 an honour bestowed on his step father Philip in 1970 when Laurie was Philip’s guest speaker along with Philip’s nepher in law, Denis Silk, Warden of Radleigh and some years later, President of the MCC.In 2004 David joined Bristol Savages. We spent many a happy Wednesday evening in each other’s company at The Wigwam behind the Red Lodge. He particularly enjoyed hearing the violin, an instrument he had played a little at school, and of course the piano, especially when played by concert pianist Allan Schiller. We as a family were very moved when Allan told us that he felt honoured when we asked him to play at David’s Thanksgiving Service on 30th September at St Mary’s. For some years David organized very successfully the St George’s Dinner in the Great Oak Room. Given that Sue’s birthday also falls on St George’s Day, the 23rd April, David had to use all his skills of ingenuity to ensure that on his watch the dinners never fell on the 23rd!
David loved sport and for years took every opportunity to get hold of a ticket for an England International at TwIckenham. I wasn’t so good at getting one as him but when I managed to, we always found our way to the boot of Michael and Sarah Barnes’ car to enjoy their incomparable hospitality. When the RFU sought to raise capital to re-develop the East Stand, David and I bought 10-year debentures. Our pair of seats were on the halfway line directly opposite and at the same height as the royal box. They were so good we couldn’t give them up and so 10 years later we renewed at double the cost. Ten years later the cost had doubled again so reluctantly we gave them up. Nevertheless, I really value the fun and outings we had for those 20 years. One day we were enjoying the post-match hospitality of Mike and Sarah in the West Car Park. We eventually realized that the place looked deserted, hurriedly bade our farewells and legged it over the bridge to the Cardinal Vaughan car park through which we had to make our way to get back to our car parked on the other side of the sewage farm. It was before lighting was installed in that car park so it was pitch black. We managed to find our way to the gates but to our horror they were locked. What’s more they were about 10 feet high. We had no alternative. We had to go up and over which we just about managed to do without mishap. As we chuckled our way back to our car we reflected that there can be very few on match days engaged in breaking out of TwIckenham as opposed to breaking in.
In his prime, David was a very good speaker. He took part in several visits to the Rheingau, organized by our specialist, Peter Hofman, Affectionately referred to as the chairman, and having mentally recorded all the misdemeanors of the group, David always summarised the visit at the last evening’s supper. On one trip however, his summation had to talk himself out of trouble. Early in the trip there was a report from the area of the hotel occupied by the tours’ singletons, that one of our number, wearing yellow pajamas, had been observed on noisy night manoeuvres obviously looking for the kitchen or the bar. The fingers were all pointed at David. With consummate skill David deflected the accusations and proved beyond reasonable doubt his innocence by producing a pair of green, not yellow pyjamas. The culprit remains a mystery to this day.
It is a fact that over the years David’s and my facial appearances became more and more similar. Furthermore, having spent a long and successful professional and charitable life in Bristol, David became a very well-known and recognizable person within many Bristol communities and with the same surname I became used to being asked if I was related to David. The most bizarre and far-flung example of this was in 2011 when I was staying overnight in a hotel in the Brazilian jungle which overlooked the Iguassu falls. A total stranger, but fellow guest, asked me “Are you by any chance related to David Watts of Clifton, Bristol?
The facial similarity continued to increase to the extent that in some circles, it became quite common for me to be addressed as David. Then, just four weeks before his Thanksgiving Service, and very shortly after David’s death, when I was at Ashton Gate for the match against Bath, an amazing switch occurred. I was stopped and a colleague of David said, “I’m so sorry about Peter!” Knowing what high esteem in which David was held by so many, being mistaken for him was always a pleasure and in many ways, a privilege.
Sadly there are many who pass through this life without contributing to the benefit of society in any way. Happily, David’s life will be remembered as one which contributed hugely to the benefit of others. Most who benefitted will have never known him. The tens of thousands who will have received polio vaccinations directly as a result of his fundraising, the thousands who will have passed through Bristol Grammar School, particularly those under the leadership of the two outstanding headmasters which he had the responsibility of appointing, the thousands who have lived, and will live, in Bristol’s Harbouside and the Almshouses of Bristol Charities.
Then there are those who knew him, the countless acquaintances, friends, and members of the organisations and clubs he was involved in who held him in such high esteem. Finally, the family who loved him as husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother. Each in our own way will miss him and Bristol has lost a brilliant citizen. To everyone I say, Don’t cry because his life is over, smile because it happened.
Peter Watts October 2022
Laurie and David Watts, October 1992
David taking part in 'Johnny Belinda' - "I have included the photograph from Johnny Belinda. You can pick out David, Sue and me but you may recognise John Higson’s wife, Yvonne, who played the title role, Belinda. For which she and Sue’s brother, David learnt authentic sign language for her “lines”. On the first night we had deaf people in the front row who followed the story through her signing which was interpreted and spoken for the audience and characters by David who played the Doctor who in the story teaches her to sign. All very dramatic. Belinda was played in a Hollywood film by Jane Wyman who was married for 9 years to one Ronald Reagan"