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.

-------------------

(6 September 1928 – 12 September 2012)

Sad news this morning 13/9/2012

Professor Sid Watkins, who was at the forefront of Formula 1 safety for more than 30 years, has died aged 84.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/09/13/uk-motor-racing-watkins-idUKBRE88C00C20120913

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/19578977

Just a little trivia.

When Dad was very young he lived for a few years with William and Henrietta Meek Henrietta was a sister of Sidney and Clarence Blatchford. Dad is not sure if it was Sidney or Clarence who came back from America and that he had a small farm near by. Dad remembers going to visit at the farm and it was always a great delight for him as he was allowed to go fo a short ride on the horse.

Enjoy your visit when you come over to Australia next year.

Thanks for the info. As a keen follower of Formula One *** I was aware of Professor Sidney Watkins and was pleased to discover that he is actually my 7th cousin, thanks to his grandmother Maria Roberts who would be my 5th cousin twice removed. I have another "connection" with the Watkins family as Sidney George's sister Mary Ann 1852 married William Blatchford and their son Sidney born 1883 married Helen Marfell (my half 2nd cousin twice removed)1.11.1913 Forest Church. Sidney 1883 emigrated to USA with his brother Clarence on Campania from Liverpool 24.9.1910 arriving New York 1.10.1910 and then moved to LaSalle as did a lot of Forest of Dean Miners.

*** I am travelling to Australia for a month's organised tour on 6th March 2008 and was very dissapointed to find that the Melbourne Grand Prix will take place before I get there, I had hoped to go if the dates had been suitable, but I will be flying between Alice Springs & Adelaide on the day of the race, but I will be able to view the skid marks in Albert Park !!

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.

-------------------

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.