Sidney George WATKINS - Maria ROBERTS and descendants (General)

by admin , Forest of Dean, Monday, September 24, 2007, 04:46 (6272 days ago)

I have not followed the Roberts side any further but I do know that Maria
ROBERTS married Sidney George WATKINS 23 Nov 1879 at Drybrook. Maria's fathers
name was William. The mother of Sidney George was Esther WATKINS father
unknown.

Maria and Sidney George had a total of 12 children. One of the children was
Wallace born 1886. Wallace was born at Drybrook and started his working life as
a Belt boy in the coal mines. Later he moved to Liverpool where he became a star
cycle racer on the cinder tracks. It was in Liverpool where he also opened his
own cycle repair business. His cycle repair business progressed into auto
repairs with a number of shops at different locations.

Wallace married Jessica May BURKEY at Liverpool and had four children one of
their sons was Eric Sydney WATKINS born 1928.

Eric Sydney (Sid) WATKINS made a name for himself as a neurosurgeon and is now
retired and lives in Florida USA.

Although Sid Watkins was not born in the Forest you will still probably find the
following of interest.

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Formula One medical supremo Professor Sidney Watkins has been awarded an Order
of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List (2002) for his
services to Grand Prix racing and Motorsport.

The Briton Watkins one of the world's top neurosurgeons has been involved in
Formula One for the past 24 years acting as Chief Medical Officer and
overseeing major improvements in on-site medical facilities around the world. He
has also been behind F1's vast improvements in safety and was eight years ago
appointed Chairman of the FIA's Expert Advisory Safety Committee which looks at
all aspects of safety in Formula One.

As the head of the F1 Medical Department he travels in the Medical Extrication
car at every F1 race and is first on the scene to administer medical treatment
to drivers after accidents. He built up close friendships with drivers Ronnie
Peterson and Ayrton Senna and witnessed their deaths after major track
accidents.

Outside of Formula One Professor Watkins has been an influential figure. He
established the Brain and Spine foundation and his research work has led to
major improvements in the treatment of Parkinson's disease intractable pain
and cerebral palsy.