Alastair Watson
Encyclopedia
Major
Alastair Alexander Linton Watson LVO
(born February 1953) has been Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of York
since July 2003.
He was born in Wuppertal
, West Germany
, educated at Eagle House
, Wellington College
and at New College
, Oxford
, before he joined the Black Watch
(the family regiment in which his father (Major General AL Watson CB, who was Colonel of the Black Watch and Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea) and brother (Patrick Watson: MD of Montrose Public Affairs) have served, in 1976.
Service included: training at Mons OCS (1972) and RMA Sandhurst (1975): three operational tours in Ulster (1976; 1981 and 1989); an operational tour in Belize (1979); Adjutant at the Scottish Infantry Depot, Glencorse, Edinburgh (1979–81); Operations Officer of a mechanised infantry battalion in the British Army of the Rhine (1982–84); two year course at RMCS Shrivenham and the Staff College, Camberley(awarded CGIA); SO2 in MO3 in the Ministry Of Defence (1987–88); a tour in Berlin as a Company Commander with the Black Watch (just prior to the Berlin Wall coming down)(1989–90) and an operational requirements/tactical doctrine role at UK's Headquarters Land Forces in Wilton, Salisbury( 1990–91).
On retiring from the British Army
in early 1991, he spent 11 years with Fired Earth plc, including a seven year stint as Sales Director, and was in the management team during the sale of the Plc to PPMV (1999) and on to Aga Foodservices plc (2001), before joining the Royal Household
.
He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2011 New Year Honours.
Married with four children: Sophie (deceased), Alice, Freddy (deceased) and Harry.
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Alastair Alexander Linton Watson LVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(born February 1953) has been Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
since July 2003.
He was born in Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, educated at Eagle House
Eagle House
Eagle House is a Queen Anne house built in the Dutch style, in 1705. It is on London Road, Mitcham, in the London Borough of Merton.The building dates back to 1705 and was occupied by John Bond around 1780. The grounds of the house formed a triangle, bounded by London Road, Bond Road and Western Road...
, Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
and at New College
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, before he joined the Black Watch
Black Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
(the family regiment in which his father (Major General AL Watson CB, who was Colonel of the Black Watch and Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea) and brother (Patrick Watson: MD of Montrose Public Affairs) have served, in 1976.
Service included: training at Mons OCS (1972) and RMA Sandhurst (1975): three operational tours in Ulster (1976; 1981 and 1989); an operational tour in Belize (1979); Adjutant at the Scottish Infantry Depot, Glencorse, Edinburgh (1979–81); Operations Officer of a mechanised infantry battalion in the British Army of the Rhine (1982–84); two year course at RMCS Shrivenham and the Staff College, Camberley(awarded CGIA); SO2 in MO3 in the Ministry Of Defence (1987–88); a tour in Berlin as a Company Commander with the Black Watch (just prior to the Berlin Wall coming down)(1989–90) and an operational requirements/tactical doctrine role at UK's Headquarters Land Forces in Wilton, Salisbury( 1990–91).
On retiring from the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
in early 1991, he spent 11 years with Fired Earth plc, including a seven year stint as Sales Director, and was in the management team during the sale of the Plc to PPMV (1999) and on to Aga Foodservices plc (2001), before joining the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
.
He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2011 New Year Honours.
Married with four children: Sophie (deceased), Alice, Freddy (deceased) and Harry.