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Dougie Waters

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Douglas James Waters 1922-2009




Dougie Waters was born on 23 August 1922 at 7 Sparsholt Road, Barking and baptised at St. Margaret’s Church, Barking on 10 September 1922. He sadly passed away, aged 87, on Monday 21 December 2009 and his funeral took place at Forest Park Cemetery, Forest Road, Hainault, Essex on Friday 8 January 2010. Dougie was always immaculately dressed and well groomed with a lively sparkle in his bright bespectacled eyes. He was a kind, modest unassuming gentleman with a warm smile. He was a Barking citizen to his very core.

Dougie’s grandfather was Edwin Waters a labourer. Douglas’s father was James Daniel Waters (1899-1950), an engineers’s assistant and later a leading stoker at the electric power station, of 129 Keith Road, Barking. James married Mary Ann Winters, of 57a Boundary Road, Barking, the daughter of Joseph Henry Winters, an engine driver, at St Patrick’s Church on 4 February 1922. Douglas James Waters married Irene Elizabeth Martha Ding, during wartime , at St. Patrick’s Church on 9 August 1942. Irene, who was born on 14 February 1922, was the daughter of William Robert Ding (1895-1975), a postman of Rippleside - who was born in Cambridgeshire, and Edith Rachel Ding (died 1991). Irene was baptised at St. Margaret’s Church Barking on 14 May 1922. At the time of their marriage Irene was living at Paradise Row, King’s Sutton, near Banbury. Douglas and Irene had two children, a son and daughter, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Douglas was by trade an electrician and a socialist and humanist by conviction who supported the “ban the bomb” movement. He joined the Labour Party in 1946. Dougie was elected a Barking and Dagenham Councillor between 1967 and 1982. He served on Village, Gascoigne and Thames Wards. In addition to various Council Committees and School Governing bodies he also served on the London Boroughs Training Committee, South Essex Traffic Advisory Committee, Little Remand Home, Barking & Dagenham Old People’s Welfare Association and the Children’s Care Committee. Douglas served as Mayor for the year 1978-1979. He chose the Abbeyfield Society as his charity during his Mayoralty and was President of St. John’s Ambulance Association. Douglas was a great supporter of Age Concern in Barking and held office as Chairman, Director and its longest serving trustee. He received their lifetime achievement award for services to Age Concern Barking & Dagenham on 16 November 2007.

Dougie was a great supporter of the Barking and District Historical Society. He was appointed a Vice President in May 2002 and did sterling work as our auditor. Douglas served on the Committee and helped mount many of our displays in collaboration with his friend and Thames View neighbour, our late former chairman, Fred Ettrich. Douglas and Irene were regular attendee’s at our monthly indoor meetings until quite recently. They also supported our coach outings to place wider afield. Douglas had a hip replacement operation at the King George Hospital, Goodmayes early in 2008. Pat Manley, a friend of Dougie’s, represented our Society at Dougie’s funeral. We shall miss Dougie and his wise counsel.

WHG 03.03.2010




 
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