Radar Pionier W.O.II overleden.

Paul Siemons · vr mei 04, 2012 10:06 am

Daniel Stewart Watson radarpionier uit WOII overleden (100)

My father, Daniel Stewart Watson, who has died aged 100, was a pioneer of radar in the second world war. When Stewart (as he was always known) began his research for the navy in 1938, he was one of only seven; at the war's end, he was one of 700. He helped to invent precision-ranging systems that could spot the conning towers of U-boats and thus contributed to the allies' crucial victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.

In 1944 he was sent to the US to develop radar for the then impending invasion of Japan. He returned to America after the war to work on defending the US mainland against possible nuclear attacks by Soviet bombers. In 1947 his group started the design of a complex radar system which was fitted to all British aircraft carriers.

Stewart was then put in charge of all Royal Naval guided weapons projects. In 1961 he was made chief scientist of the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment at Portsmouth. He ended his distinguished career as deputy chief scientist (navy) and head of the Royal Navy Scientific Service, as well as chairman of the Anglo-French, Anglo-German and Anglo-Netherlands joint naval committees. In his retirement, he served for six years on the board of the Civil Service Commission, interviewing in some depth potential candidates for fast-track promotion, which he found fascinating.

The son of an Aberdeenshire minister, Stewart retained his Scottish accent all his life – as well as his dry sense of humour. Exceptionally able but totally unassuming, he was widely liked and respected. He was very keen to reach the age of 100, and at his birthday celebration made a detailed speech without notes. Being very independent, he was still living on his own – and still driving – and continued to cook his favourite pot roast when entertaining family and friends. He loved to read serious books, do a bit of gardening, go to rallies with me in his beloved 1933 Rolls – and recount his memories of the war with total recall.

His wife, Isabel, whom he married in 1939, died in 1991. He is survived by me and three grandchildren, Vonig, Alexis and Nathalie.
Bron: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2 ... n-obituary

Mvg,
P.Siemons

Radar Pionier W.O.II overleden.

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