A ROYAL Marine who died during a fierce firefight in Afghanistan has been laid to rest in Tavistock Cemetery. Marine Richard Watson, 23, was fatally wounded in December during a gun battle with Taliban forces in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan. On Friday, December 22 Marine Watson, serving with 42 Commando in Bickleigh, was carried by six Royal Marines from 42 Commando to the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Bickleigh. The funeral, with full Royal Marine honours, was well attended by family, friends and Royal Marines. After the funeral people left for the wake at Tavistock Royal British Legion Club. Marine Watson spent most of his life in Surrey but lived for a while with his grandmother in Tavistock and trained for the marines with ex-Royal Marine Chris Dykes, Bodyzone Gym owner. Mr Dykes spoke of his fond memories of Marine Watson. He said: 'I can still remember the conversation with him about training for the marines and he knew it wasn't going to be easy. He had set his sights on being a marine – he knew his goal and would not be deviated from it.'
