Ernest Malcolm Watson (1877-1928)

Pattison code: NCH (F) 2

Ernest was the son of Malcom Watson (born in Kensington, London) and Martha nee Sheerman (born in Whitway, Burghclere, Hampshire).

His father, Malcolm, was born in Kensington, London, the son of James, a Scottish Barrister and Anne Bowring nee Morden, the daughter of a Bookseller from Devon. His father’s family lived in Scotland and around Kensington and St Pancras, London.

Ernest lived with his parents in Newbury and in later years at 9 King’s Road and Brooklyn, Greenham. He became a well-known Musician, Organist and Music Teacher as the Newbury Weekly News reports and tributes confirm.

ERNEST MALCOLM WATSON – HIS MASONIC CONNECTION

He was initiated into the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope on 6th February, 1906 aged 29, when George Gardner Leader was the Master of the Lodge.

In the same year Edward Gould, who is also buried in Newtown Road Cemetery (see elsewhere), had rejoined the lodge (he had previously been initiated in 1894) and was Newbury's Mayor in 1870.

Additionally, Frederick Charles Hopson was going through his ceremonies. He had been Mayor in 1904 and was to become the Master of the Lodge in 1918. He was the son of Joseph Hopson, Mayor in 1882.

Alfred Camp, would have been the Junior Warden, becoming Master in 1908, and Mayor for both 1909 and 1910.

Ernest Watson himself was made Master of the Lodge in 1920 and subsequently became its organist.

In 1925, at the consecration of the Hungerford Lodge, he is listed at their Founding Organist having by that time been honoured as “The Past Provincial Grand Organist”.

As may be seen in his obituary, both lodges were well represented, including F.C. Hopson.

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