Obituaries Australia

The late ex-Senator David Watson was a native of Rutherglen Scotland, and came to Newcastle at the age of 15 years, in 1885, and settled in Lambton where he followed mining for sixteen years. He then entered the home mission of the Baptist ministry, in the Dungog district, afterwards returning to mining, which he followed until elected president of the Northern District Miners' Federation, which position he held for five years, when he was elected to the Senate for three years, being defeated at the general election following. In his private life from the age of 20 years he was prominent in the temperance movement, both as a blue ribboner and Good Templar, of which he was the district grand lodge officer. He also took a leading part in the Independent Order of Rechabites. In 1918 he was elected to the staff of the prohibition movement in Victoria, and a lecturer and organiser in the "Strength of Empire" movement in Queensland, which society was formed for the purpose of combating the drink traffic. He was appointed lecturer of the New South Wales Prohibition Alliance, under the direction of the Rev. B. S. Hammond, with which organisation he was connected until his death. Rev. Mr. Gawthrop, A.T.S., conducted the funeral service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Jarvis, Rev. Thos. Davies, Pastor Johnson, and Mr. Stitt, of the New South Wales Prohibition Alliance, Lodge Waratah, Lodge Fraternity, and Waratah Mark Lodge were represented at his funeral. The deceased leaves a wife and grown up family of three sons and one daughter. The chief mourners were: Mrs. D. Watson (wife). Henry, David, and Arthur (sons), and Doris (daughter). Wreaths were placed on the grave by Mother and George Dennett, Sam and Emily Dennett, Lisa and Matt Pettigrew, Percy and Amy Jacobs, Emily and Bob Matthews, Lottie and Emil Erickson, Fred Watson, Aunty Phoebe Jacobs, Will and Kate Dennett, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Jones, Employees Matthews Thompson, Ltd., Lodge Waratah 170, Lodge Fraternity 405, A. Lucas, Mrs. A. Young and family, Waratah Mark Lodge, Mr. Reid, solicitor, Matthews, Thompson, Ltd., Geo Keslakes, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Cherry, B.H.P. Office Staff, New South Wales Alliance (Newcastle Branch), Mr. and Mrs. G. Matthews, News South Wales Prohibition Alliance, Huntly family, Mr. and Mrs. R.Curry, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Thompson, Lill, Gladys, Lorna and Herb Cairns, Mayfield Baptist Church, Hurst family, Miowera Tennis Club, and Steel Works Musical Club.