The Watkins Family of Aberdeen

Alexander was born on July 19th 1890, the tenth of George's and Isabella's eleven children. He was named after his grandfather Alexander, and William Dalgety, of the firm Dalgety Brothers, where George worked for over 27 years.

Alexander trained as a marine engineer, serving his apprenticeship aboard the ship Petunia. He was not found in 1911 census, but may have been at sea, as his marriage certificate in 1913 gave his occupation as marine engineer and his usual residence as SS Meggie of London.

He married Elsie Emily Fraser on December 27th 1913 at South Leith, Edinburgh. Elsie was born on April 17th 1891, the daughter of Angus Fraser and Agnes Hepburn. She was born in Aberdeen but the Frasers came from Inverness and before that Kirkhill in Invernesshire.

In October 1914 Alexander was still with S.S Meggie, and he obtained his second class certificate in the Board of Trade Engineering Examination (published in the Aberdeen Journal 24th October 1914).

Later he worked for the North East Welding Company engaged in ship building.

Alexander's and Elsie's children were:-

• Alexander Dalgety, born 22nd March 1914 and died 7th March 1976
• Gladys Muriel, born 6th August 1915 and died October 1915
• David Fraser, born 9th March 1918 and died 1st July 1984
• Edgar Fraser, born 30th December 1920 and died 5th March 2001
• Charles Fraser, born 4th March 1924 and died 16th March 1996
• Gerald Dalgety, born 14th August 1926 and died 16th January 1968

In the 1930s Alexander worked as a chauffeur and motor engineer and the family lived in Balmoral Place, in the Ruthrieston district of Aberdeen. In the 1940s they moved to Gaitside Drive, Garthdee, Aberdeen.

Elsie died on 18th March 1953 and Alexander on 24th November 1957. Their grave is in Springbank Cemetery.

 

Alexander and Elsie, c.1945