Sir Robert Watson Watt

Former Brechin High School

Born in Brechin on 13^th April 1892
Attended Damacre Primary School and Brechin High School
Won a bursary to St Andrew’s University and studied electrical engineering at University College, Dundee
Served as assistant to Prof. William Peddie (St Andrews University) developing an interest in radio waves
In 1915 started work as a meteorologist for the Aircraft Factory, Farnborough
By 1942 he was working at the Radio Research Station and then became head of the National Physics Laboratory’s new radio department at Slough
Early in 1935 was joint author of an Air Ministry report entitled ‘The Detection of Aircraft by Radio Methds’
On 26 February 1935 a secret and highly successful trial using a short radio transmitter took place at Daventry
He was appointed head of the newly established Bawdsey Radio Research Station near Felix

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By the outbreak of war in 1939, as a result of work done by the team led by Watson-Watt, a radar defence system – code name ‘Chain Home’ – was designed an built along the East and South coasts of Britain, which played a crucial part in the defeat of the German Luftwaffe
His book ‘Three Steps to Victory’ details his team’s achievements during World War II
Robert Watson-Watt was elected FRS and knighted in 1942
He died on 5 December 1973 and is buried at Pitlochry