New road to Watford Hospital named after local hero

Watford has paid a very special tribute to local hero Captain Thomas Sawyer, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 at the age of 26, naming the new road to Watford Hospital after him. The launch of Thomas Sawyer Way, which was officially opened to the public on November 16, was marked in a touching naming ceremony the day before on November 15. Nearly a hundred of Captain Sawyer’s family and friends, and representatives of his military unit – 7 Sphynx Battery 29 Commando – joined with Health Campus partners to commemorate Tom. The new road signs, which the campus partnership worked closely with the Sawyer family to design, were unveiled by his parents, wife and sister. Children from Field Junior School also took part in the ceremony, singing a song specially chosen for the occasion. Tom was a Watford resident who lived in Blackwell Drive in Oxhey. The route runs close to where he spent much of his time growing up in the borough. The Sawyer family, who spoke about Tom at the ceremony, highlighted that naming the road which would save lives after Tom who had given up his for others, made it the most fitting tribute the town could pay. Baroness Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford, said: “Thomas Sawyer Way is an historic milestone for Watford, made even more memorable by its connection to a local hero. It’s near to where Tom grew up and the football club he loved, and most importantly, it’s a road that will make such a difference to people’s lives. Tom gave his life for his country, and it is absolutely right that we honour him and the Sawyer family in this small but special way.” Hear more about this story and what’s happening in your local community in the December edition of MyWatfordNews, which will be distributed on December 9.