WATSON, James Herbert 1871 - 1962

Born at Aberdeen in 1871. He was educated at Gordon’s College, Aberdeen, and Armstrong College, Newcastle.

He entered the Ministry in 1895, receiving his theological training at Handsworth College. After circuit experience in Cardiff and Nottingham, he was seconded to the staff of the Bermondsey Settlement under Dr Scott Lidgett.. After this, there followed appointments at Willenhall, Coventry. Learnington. Sandhurst, Wiltshire Mission, Clevedon, South Hackney, Brentford, Harrow and Redruth.

He superannuated in 1938, but remained very much an active minister for many years. From 1938 to 1945 he served as Chaplain to the Guards Depot at Caterham.

In 1945 he moved to Brailes, in the Banbury Circuit. where he continued as an active supernumerary until 1953, when he finally retired at the age of eighty-two.

On the death of his wife, two years later, he made his home with his daughter, at Scoriton, in the Buckfastleigh Circuit. There he found, and gave, much joy and blessing in the fellowship of the small country chapel, where, until a few months before his death, he was an attentive worshipper.

He had a grace and charm of manner which commended him to all, and at the same time a humility which made him forget himself and seek only to commend his Lord. He was to the end a great reader and student, keen, alert, forward-looking ; he gave much inspiration and encouragement both to the circuit ministers and local preachers.

He died on 8 May 1962, in the ninety-first year of his age and the sixty-seventh year of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1962