Major General Geoffrey Lionel Watkinson DSO, DL (1899-1971)

Geoffrey was the younger brother of Arthur Watkinson, John Watkinson's uncle, and great-uncle of Anna Longridge née Watkinson. Known as Ginger, he was a keen and accomplished sailor. He made quite a name for himself in the yachting world including winning the Round The Island, (Isle Of Wight) race, winning the Burham to Ramsgate race, finishing second in the first Fastnet Race - all in one year, 1926. In one Fasthet race on board Fulmar, he finished physically second without handicap being beaten only by the 60 ton Jolie Brise. It was after this race that all of the 25 crew dined together in the Royal Western Yacht Club at Plymouth and formed the Ocean Racing Club, now the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

Geoffrey joined the army as a gunner, later transferring to The Royal Engineers and spent several years in Germany and India where he combined his military career with many pursuits. He learnt to speak fluent Hindustani, play polo, sail in mountain lakes and ride a Harley Davidson through Kashmir. On returning to Chatham he became Secretary of the Royal Engineers Yacht Club and was instrumental in the regiment significantly upgrading their boat and sailing success.

He had varied posts in the army ranging from Porton Down to attending the School of Oriental Studies in London to learn Turkish then spent six months in Istanbul before traveling through Iraq and Kurdistan disguised as a carpet sales man delivering critical diplomatic mail in a van.

In 1929 he married Phyllis (Phil) Pauley in London and they had two sons, David in 1930 and Charles in 1934

His love of boats intertwined with family life and he settled his young family on Plinlimmon, an 84ft spritsail barge on the Medway which became their home between several postings. She was large - about 180 tons, 22ft wide and 6ft moulded depth. She was fully equipped for sailing and had been half converted for use as a home including a garage for a small car below decks at the aft end, an Aga, fireplace in the saloon, ordinary furniture, central heating and a bath. She had a reputation of being quite a party venue and apparently the family sometimes had to set sail to simply have some peace.

Despite being abroad off and on for many years he managed to do half a dozen Fastnet Races, many other ocean races and had a very successful year in 1938 when he Skippered a friend's yacht and won the RORC points championship.

During the war, despite strict instructions not to join the Landing Assault Squadrons leaving for DDay, as the most senior officer of the Brigade had to remain, Geoffrey unearthed a more senior officer at a secret Brigade in the North of England to stand in for him and joined the crossing. He was not sure if he would return to a Court Marshal or medal from Montgomery. He was awarded a DSO.