jcj
09-09-2007, 16:41
Welsh hero Tasker dies at 88
Tributes are being paid to “one of the greatest living Welshmen” who died in hospital during the early hours of today.
Sir Tasker Watkins, 88, who won the Victoria Cross during the Second World War for decisively influencing the course of a battle, died of natural causes.
At the end of the war, Sir Tasker embarked on a distinguished career in law which saw him serve as counsel into the inquiry into the Aberfan disaster of 1966, and be appointed senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales in 1983.
He also had a life-long passion for rugby and served as President of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) between 1993 and 2004.
After stepping down, the WRU created a new post of Honorary Life Vice Patron especially for him.
David Pickering, WRU chairman, said: “Sir Tasker was one of the greatest living Welshmen throughout his fantastic life.
“He will be remembered as one of our nation’s heroes; a man who was an inspiration to so many people in so any ways.”
The son of a miner, Sir Tasker Watkins was born on November 18, 1918, in Nelson, south Wales, and was educated at Pontypridd Grammar School.
He served as a Lieutenant and then Major in the Welch Regiment throughout the Second World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944 aged 25.
His bravery was recognised during a battle on August 16, 1944, at Barfour, Normandy, France.
Lieutenant Watkins’ company came under murderous machine-gun fire while advancing through corn fields set with booby traps.
The only officer left, Lieutenant Watkins led a bayonet charge with his 30 remaining men against 50 enemy infantry, practically wiping them out.
Finally, at dusk, separated from the rest of the battalion, he ordered his men to scatter and after he had personally charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun post, he brought them back to safety.
In April 2006 Sir Tasker was also made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Cardiff, joining an elite list that included David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.
Tributes are being paid to “one of the greatest living Welshmen” who died in hospital during the early hours of today.
Sir Tasker Watkins, 88, who won the Victoria Cross during the Second World War for decisively influencing the course of a battle, died of natural causes.
At the end of the war, Sir Tasker embarked on a distinguished career in law which saw him serve as counsel into the inquiry into the Aberfan disaster of 1966, and be appointed senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales in 1983.
He also had a life-long passion for rugby and served as President of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) between 1993 and 2004.
After stepping down, the WRU created a new post of Honorary Life Vice Patron especially for him.
David Pickering, WRU chairman, said: “Sir Tasker was one of the greatest living Welshmen throughout his fantastic life.
“He will be remembered as one of our nation’s heroes; a man who was an inspiration to so many people in so any ways.”
The son of a miner, Sir Tasker Watkins was born on November 18, 1918, in Nelson, south Wales, and was educated at Pontypridd Grammar School.
He served as a Lieutenant and then Major in the Welch Regiment throughout the Second World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944 aged 25.
His bravery was recognised during a battle on August 16, 1944, at Barfour, Normandy, France.
Lieutenant Watkins’ company came under murderous machine-gun fire while advancing through corn fields set with booby traps.
The only officer left, Lieutenant Watkins led a bayonet charge with his 30 remaining men against 50 enemy infantry, practically wiping them out.
Finally, at dusk, separated from the rest of the battalion, he ordered his men to scatter and after he had personally charged and silenced an enemy machine-gun post, he brought them back to safety.
In April 2006 Sir Tasker was also made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Cardiff, joining an elite list that included David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.