Melanoma cancer was not going to stop a retired military man undertaking an epic mission by air to see Prince Harry at Dubbo.
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Captain John Watson had spent weeks in Canberra Hospital receiving treatment but his heart was with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they arrived in Australia.
With determination he travelled 400 kilometres to Dubbo in a chartered helicopter to see the prince whose 10 years in the army and endeavours since to support wounded men and women make him “the greatest”.
Wearing his medals and army beret Captain Watson, who lives at Thuddungra near Young, was at Victoria Park to applaud the royal couple.
Minutes after the duke and duchess had greeted members of the crowd, the Australian Army veteran of three decades told the Daily Liberal why the occasion was so special to him.
...But the Invictus Games is the best thing that’s happened to these people ever.
- Retired army captain John Watson
“Oh look, he is the greatest,” Captain Watson said of Prince Harry, who undertook two tours of Afghanistan.
“What he does, particularly with disabled serviceman, is on top of this world.
“It’s a pity there are not more people committed to that.
“...But the Invictus Games is the best thing that’s happened to these people ever.”
The Invictus Games were founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, for injured and sick service people and veterans from all across the world.
The two-leg helicopter journey to Dubbo had been worth the effort, Captain Watson said.
“Except for the rain - but he [Prince Harry] brought the rain,” he said.
“When he came here he brought it from London.”
The Duke of Sussex had given a heartfelt address to the thousands of people gathered at Victoria Park, encouraging community members to support each other in difficult times.
As the duke spoke, the duchess stood by his side, holding an umbrella for them.
The American-born former Ms Markle has a fan in Captain Watson.
“The duchess is a fantastic woman,” he said.
“I think the two of them are the best-matched pair because they’ve got so much in common.
“And I think it’s great she’s pregnant.”
David Watson was there to see his father fulfill the wish.
“Captain John Watson, he’s in hospital at the moment, with melanoma cancer and he’s been there for four and a half weeks…,” Mr Watson said.
And instead of radiation on his brain today, he said ‘no, I want to get a helicopter, I want to fly to Dubbo and I want to see Prince Harry’.
- David Watson
“And instead of radiation on his brain today, he said ‘no, I want to get a helicopter, I want to fly to Dubbo and I want to see Prince Harry’.”
The Duke of Sussex officially opened the fourth Invictus Games in Sydney to a standing ovation on Saturday night at a ceremony attended by more than 4000 people.