Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'DEATH OF MR. J. G. T. WATKINS.

LAIDLEY, December 1.
At 10.30 on Wednesday morning, at the Lockyer General Hospital, the death occurred of Mr. John Gruffydd Thomas Watkins, who for 3½ years has filled the position of manager of the Laidley branch of the National Bank of Australasia, Ltd. The late Mr. Watkins had been in indifferent health for some time and about two weeks ago he entered the hospital. The late Mr. Watkins had reached the age of 44 years. He was a son of Major J. W. Watkins and Mrs. Watkins, Manly, and was educated at the Rosewood State School of which his father was then the head teacher.

At the age of 15 years he entered the service of the Royal Bank of Queensland, since merged into that of the National Bank of Australasia. After some years at Rosewood he was transferred to Brisbane, where he was accountant for some years at the George-street branch. Enlisting from Brisbane in the 47th Battalion A.I.F., the late Mr. Watkins was one of three brothers who took part in the War. He was wounded at Pozieres and subsequently entered a hospital in France. Upon being discharged from hospital he again went to the front, where he served until hostilities ceased.

Upon his return from the War the late Mr. Watkins again took up his duties in the bank and as a relieving officer was for a time at the Kumbia branch. Subsequently he was in Ipswich for some years as accountant, and from there he came to Laidley. During his residence at Laidley the late Mr. Watkins made a host of friends. In the field of sport deceased had played his part and prior to coming to Laidley he was an active cricketer and footballer. The local body which suffers most on account of the loss of Mr. J. G. Watkins is the Laidley Golf Club. Since his arrival here Mr. Watkins has taken a lively interest in the affairs of that club. Until sickness intervened he was perhaps the most regular player In the club, and certainly the most popular. The Golf Club was in its infancy when Mr. Watkins arrived, but his personality soon attracted others to the game. Mr. Watkins was appointed the first captain of the club and held that office until his death. He was a committee man since its inception, and was on both the green and the handicapping committees since those committees were instituted. Mr. Watkins undoubtedly obtained more new members than any other person. Many hours which could have been spent in playing the game were given by him to instructing beginners. When the matter of changing the links from the old to the present site was declded, Mr. Watkins was generally the first to arrive at and the last to leave a working bee.

The late Mr. Watkins is survived by his widow, who was formerly Mabel G. Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Morgan, late of Helidon, now livIng at Sandgate, and two young children. The funeral moved from St. Saviour's Church of England, shortly after noon to-day. It was preceded by a short service at the church, conducted by Rev. J. H. Steer, who also officiated at the graveslde. P.W.M. Bro. R. Dunn, of the Laldley Masonic Lodge, of which lodge the late Mr. Watkins was a member, read the Masonic service, and the "Last Post" was sounded by Mr. C. Heath. The cortege was large and included representatives of the R.S.S.I.L A. and Laidley Masonic Lodge.' from Queensland Times 2 Dec 1933 (nla.gov.au)