Watson-Watt memorial on "the radar"
THE campaign to raise cash to commemmorate one of Brechin's most famous sons has been launched.
One of the suggested designs for a memorial to Sir Robert Watson-Watt was unveiled at Brechin Library, where it will remain on show for inspection by the public in the coming weeks.
A competition may also take place to decide upon the final design with members of the public being invited to submit their preferences.
Chairman of the Watson-Watt society, Robert Martin, revealed: "This is only one of a number of scale sized models that the group may have to consider.
"This particular model is expected to cover an area of around 9 metres in real terms. We must stress that the most important aspect is raising cash, the project can only be taken forward with the backing of local people and businesses and we are hopeful that these groups will lend support.
"We have already had a few donations from exiled Brechiners around the globe and this is also something we hope to improve upon in the future.
"The competition aspect will go ahead when enough funds become available and for that to happen we will invite anyone who feels they can help in whatever way they can to make a donation."
Graduated
Sir Robert Watson-Watt was born in Brechin and was educated at Damacre School and Brechin High School. He graduated with a BSc(engineering) in 1912 from University College, Dundee which was then part of the University of St Andrews.
Following graduation he was offered an assistantship by Professor William Peddie who excited his interest in radio waves.
In 1915 Watson-Watt started as a meteorologist at the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough with the aim of applying his knowledge of radio to locate thunderstorms so as to provide warnings to airmen.
During this period Watson-Watt recognised the need for a rapid method of recording and display of radio signals and in 1916 he proposed the use of cathode ray oscilloscopes for this purpose, however these did not become available until 1923.
In 1924 Watson-Watt's work moved to Slough where the Radio Research Station had been formed and in 1927, following an amalgamation with the National Physics Laboratory (NPL), he became Superintendent of an outstation of the NPL at Slough.
After a further re-organisation in 1933 Watson-Watt became Superintendent of a new radio department at the NPL in Teddington.
'Death-ray'
Following an approach from H.E. Wimperis of the Air Ministry, enquiring about the feasibility of producing a 'death ray', Watson-Watt, with the help of his assistant Arnold Wilkins, drafted, in February 1935, a report titled 'The Detection of Aircraft by Radio Methods'.
This was presented to the newly formed committee for the scientific survey of air defence, chaired by Sir Henry Tizard, and on 26th of February 1935 a trial took place using the BBCs short-wave (about 50 metres wavelength) radio transmitter at Daventry against a Heyford Bomber.
The trial was a success and on September 1, 1936 Watson-Watt became Superintendent of a new establishment under the Air Ministry, Bawdsey Research Station in Bawdsey Manor near Felixstowe.
The pioneering work that Watson-Watt managed at this establishment resulted in the design and installation of a chain of radar stations along the East and South coast of England in time for the outbreak of war in 1939.
This system, known as Chain Home and Chain Home Low, provided the vital advance information that helped the Royal Air Force to win the Battle of Britain.
Donations
Those wishing to make a donation to the Watson-Watt Society of Brechin can do so on-line at www.watsonwatt.org where payments can be made by paypal, or by sending their donations to society treasurer, Joy Mowatt, at 35 Gellatly Place, Brechin, DD9 6BS.
The society can also further benefit from donations from UK taxpayers who can claim Gift Aid quoting charity reference number SCO37545.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
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