Reginald Andrew Wentworth Watson OAM. Reg was a full time, professional writer, speaker, and historian. He was a journalist with over 52 years of published experience. Sadly, Reg passed away on the 17th of March 2023. He has many major publications to his credit, most dealing with Tasmanian history, including military. His journalism has seen him contribute over a thousand articles, dealing with human interest, feature work and news reporting, to numerous newspapers and magazines state-wide, nation-wide, and overseas.
Reg awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
On the 10th of June, as part of the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List, Reg was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his contribution to history.
Reflections
Reg loved to write about ordinary people who did extraordinary things. Author Sarah Lindenmayer has written about such a person, an Anzac named Captain Stanley Savige
One hundred years ago, an Anzac named Captain Stanley Savige, signed up for a hell-raising, secret mission to secure the oil wells on the Caspian Sea; he was not expected to survive. Sailing up the sultry Tigris River with Dunsterforce into the ancient lands of Scheherazade, he never imagined that within a few months he and his men would stare down death itself during one of the most extraordinary episodes of Australian military history.
Against immense odds in the mountain wilderness of northern Persia, Captain Savige saved thousands of Assyrian refugees from genocide at the sword of the Ottoman Army.
But why was he there and who were the Assyrians? Using material unseen until now, this remarkable odyssey speaks to the mystery of human suffering, endurance and valour. And it reveals our debt of honour to the Assyrians, to General Sir Stanley Savige and his tremendous legacy of service, faith and hope.
Your signed copy of this book can be purchased directly from the author for $30 including postage at stormbay@duck.com
“The study of history allows us to understand our past and guide us going forward.
Reg Watson
We have much to lose if we don’t reflect on our history”
I recognise the incredible contribution that the early settlers and pioneers of Tasmania have made to society. I acknowledge their sacrifice, their endurance against massive odds and their leadership past, present and into the future. I honour those who went before me, including those soldiers who left our land to lay their life on the line. I acknowledge them all.