Denis Watson was born in Grimsby on 27 October 1954. One of eight children, he enlisted into the Army in April 1970, spending the next two years at IJLB Shorncliffe, achieving the rank of JCSM.

Joining The Poachers in 1972 in Munster, Denis embarked on the first of many tours of Northern Ireland, shortly after reaching the battalion. During the next 20 years Denis served further Ulster tours, whilst also serving in West Germany, the UK, Norway, Denmark, the Gambia, Gibraltar, Berlin, Canada and Bermuda. Denis also served as an instructor at the Queen’s Division depot and with our TA Battalions, and was well known across our Regimental family.

As well as being recognised as a no nonsense soldier with natural leadership qualities, he was an accomplished footballer representing the Poachers at Battalion level. His final job in the Battalion was as the MTWO. He left the army in September 1992, in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2, having gained the General Service Medal for operations in Northern Ireland, the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

Resettling back in Grimsby after his discharge, Denis worked as a prison officer, GMB area union officer and latterly as a court custody officer at the local Grimsby magistrate and Crown court, until his untimely death. In recent years Denis became the driving force behind the hugely successful ‘Grimsby Poachers Reunion’ held annually in Cleethorpes for retired and serving Poachers and their families. Numbers attending the reunion vary from, no less than 260 hitting a peak of 435 attendees. Whilst in this role, Denis was recognised as a man of great compassion for all Poachers whether retired or still serving, whenever they came to him for advice, always giving of his time and energy, asking for nothing in return.

Denis Watson suffered a heart attack on 27th October 2016 (his 62nd birthday) and passed away on the 29th October at Lincoln County Hospital, surrounded by his wife June, daughters Jackie, Tracey, Kerry, grandaughter Layla and the Watson family.

His funeral was attended by over 300 serving and ex-Poachers, testament to the high regard that Denis was held in by all. He had actually written his own eulogy to be read at out his funeral, in his own words “to free my family and friends of the burden” of writing about his life. This was so typical of Denis, putting others before himself to the end. I had the honour of reading these wonderful words at his funeral, they covered all aspects of his life; his love for his wife June of 42 years, and his beautiful daughters and grandaughter, his thanks to his late parents, brothers and sisters for a tough but wonderful upbringing, his love of carp fishing with retired Poacher Pete McKweon and friends, and his deep affection and thanks for all the Army/Poacher family had given him.

Denis Watson was very proud of being a Poacher, taking our phrase of “Once a Poacher, always a Poacher” to the end. He was everything that is good from being part of our wonderful County regimental system that is fortunately still in existence. I finished his eulogy with a quote, “The quality of my friends is my wealth”.

FR