It is with great sadness that I inform you of the sudden passing of Rick Watt (Kitchener & Wolseley 1978 - 1984) at the age of 55, on September 24th 2022.

Rick was a regular presence in school and at Old Boys'. Rick had just finished writing his book about  Dukies who were lost in WW1 with Andy Benns, having carried out his research using the extensive archive here at the school.

A very bright light has gone out in the Dukie family and our thoughts go out to his family and close friends.

Rick's good friend Martin wrote:

I asked a few of the guys for their thoughts or anything they wanted to say and the resounding response was that Rick was one of life’s good guys.

"He was a true Dukie, and had a sense of humour and fun that never failed to lift your spirits when you met up with him".

"He was always up for meeting with old mates or Dukies…"

One Dukie commented that Rick made the effort to meet up when they were both, by chance, in Malta at the same time.

"Although it may have been because said Dukies hotel was all inclusive and it was a cheap afternoon…never the less he always made the effort".

Another Old Boy remembers:

“Rick’s sense of humour, especially about his line of work is what stands out for me. As a boy he was always having a laugh and as an adult that didn’t change.”

There are so many stories and memories of Rick, most of which couldn’t be put in writing.

We often met up at the Old Boys lunch in London or the Army Navy game, Remembrance weekend, or just for dinner.

He loved a laugh a good meal, a drink and a cigar….but the overwhelming memory is that he was a true friend, an absolute gent, a great Dukie and one of life’s good guys.

He will be greatly missed, there is a huge Rick shaped hole in all our lives now.

Rick's son Alec informed me of the funeral details and wrote;

Dad had recently completed working on a book with Andy Benns and Andrew Nunn commemorating the Old Boys of the school who served and died during the First World War. Dad had also recently retired from the Army Reserve, having reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was still working for the NHS within the Resuscitation Training Team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Dad had recently become a grandfather for the second time and enjoyed spending time with his family and his partner, Rosie.

The funeral service is to be held at Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on the 11th of November 2022. The service will begin at 1pm, with a gathering at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club to follow, from 2pm until 6pm. Please wear formal, but not necessarily black, clothing with a touch of colour.

If you wish to attend please let Rachel know in the first instance - Rachel.Robinson@doyrms.com The family will then be informed of names and numbers.

In lieu of floral tributes, please donate to one of the following charities which were close to Dad’s heart. The Royal British Legion or the Dukie’s Foundation, Heritage Fund.

A special fund has been set up in Rick's name, within the TDF called simply 'In memory of Rick Watt'. The donations will go directly into the Heritage fund and will be used to support the continuation of the significant research  that Rick had undertaken to discover the identity of Dukies lost in conflict but who are currently not named on the Memorial Tablets in the School Chapel. His World War 1 research is due to be published in the form of a book ‘Sons of The Brave.’ He had only recently begun similar work on World War ll with the intention of reaching back ultimately to the early history of the school.