James Cecil Russell Watson
James Cecil Russell Watson (c1885-1947)
1949 Obituary [1]
"JAMES CECIL RUSSELL WATSON was associated with Messrs. J. Keith Blackman and Company, Ltd., and the successor firm, Messrs. Keith, Blackman and Company, heating and ventilating engineers, London, for thirty-four years. He was educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh, and at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College. After serving his apprentice ship with Messrs. David Rowan and Company, Ltd., marine engineers, of Glasgow, he sailed at sea as marine engineer in ships of the British India Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., for the next four years.
On the conclusion of brief engagements as draughtsman to two engineering firms he began, in 1913, his long connection with Messrs. Keith Blackman with the post of assistant engineer and representative at their Glasgow office. A year later, however, he joined H.M. Forces and served with the rank of lieutenant in the 6th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, being present at the operations at the Dardanelles and in Palestine where he was twice mentioned in dispatches. Later he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and held the appointment of technical officer in charge of repairs to aircraft at Cairo and Kantara. On his return in 1919 to Messrs. Keith Blackman and Company he was appointed engineer-in-charge of the Manchester office and entrusted with the furtherance of the firm's business in the North-West of England and in North Wales. Mr. Watson continued to carry out these duties until his death, which occurred in his sixty-second year on 12th June 1947. He had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1926."