A war hero who was prominent in the law and in Rugby Union, Watkins was described as The Greatest Living Welshman.

[3][4] Following the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Watkins joined the British Army, initially as a private in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, in October.

The division, then commanded by Major General Gerard Bucknall, was serving in Northern Ireland until moving to Wales late in 1941, and then to Kent in April 1942, where it remained for over two years before it saw action, until then being engaged in training and military exercises.

As a lieutenant, Watkins departed for France with the rest of the 53rd Division, commanded by Major General Robert Knox Ross, arriving in late June 1944, just weeks after the D-Day landings.

His citation read: In North-West Europe on the evening, of 16th August, 1944, Lieutenant Watkins was commanding a company of the Welch Regiment.

Lieutenant Watkins, the only officer left, placed himself at the head of his men and under short range fire charged two posts in succession, personally killing or wounding the occupants with his Sten gun.

Lieutenant Watkins directed the fire of his men and then led a bayonet charge, which resulted in the almost complete destruction of the enemy.

His superb gallantry and total disregard for his own safety during an extremely difficult period were responsible for saving the lives of his men, and had a decisive influence on the course of the battle.Watkins' active service ended in October 1944 when he was badly wounded in the battle to liberate the Dutch city of 's‑Hertogenbosch, where a memorial service was held for him in St. John's Cathedral in 2007.

It should be good enough, however, to recall the great comradeship we had and which we shall never experience again.He stated in another interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2001:[2] You must believe me when I say it was just another day in the life of a soldier.

From that point onwards I have tried to take a more caring view of my fellow human beings, and that, of course, always includes your opponent, whether it be in war, sport, or just life generally.Wales rugby coach Graham Henry had Watkins' citation pinned up on the wall of the Welsh changing room before Six Nations encounters.

He was a Presiding Judge of the Wales and Chester Circuit from 1975 until he was promoted to the Court of Appeal (receiving the customary appointment to the Privy Council) in 1980.

[13] Watkins played Rugby Union football as an outside-half for the Army, Cardiff RFC and Glamorgan Wanderers.

The Wanderers also have a working model statue of Watkins in their club house donated by Llantwit Major based sculptor Roger Andrews.

[17] On announcement of his death, the Welsh team wore black armbands for their 2007 Rugby World Cup game against Canada in Nantes, France, as a tribute to the former WRU president.

Appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1990 and Knight of Justice of the Order of St John (K.StJ) in 1998,[13] on 12 April 2006 he was made a Freeman of the City of Cardiff, with Lord Mayor Freda Salway describing Watkins as "one of Wales' most notable citizens.

"[23][24] His VC and other honours are on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.