Touching the Ancient One

April 11, 2008

Recent entries on this site have told the story of how David West-Watson of Wales found the survivors of the airplane crash in Alaska that took the life of his father, William Ronald West-Watson in 1954. As one of the survivors of that crash, I related in my book, Touching the Ancient One: A True Story of Survival and Reunion, the details of my search for the West-Watson family and David’s subsequent finding of us. I also made available pdf files of magazine and newspaper articles that told David’s story. You can read them again by at easy download of RegisterArticle-West-Watson.pdf and REDISCOVERING.pdf.

Now, many years later, David and his wife Anne have started a fund that will benefit children of families devastated by accidents, as was his family in 1954. I believe the emphasis will be on children of men and women lost at sea, although I’m not yet certain of that. David is captain of the chemical tanker Stolt Cormorant which is owned and operated by the company, Stolt Nielsen. David and Anne are well acquainted with the dangers that accompany such work. They have named their project “Kesugi Children” which is apt, since David’s father died on Kesugi Ridge in Alaska. I believe that no money will go directly to the child or parent, but to support areas for the child’s benefit. David is running in the London Marathon this Sunday, April 18 to raise money for the fund.

When I get more details, including contacts, for this worthwhile project, I’ll publish them. I’m sure some of you will be interested in contributing. Stand by.

Rupert