Who do you think you are?’ was the theme of the Bishop of Guildford’s last confirmation sermon at St Peter’s Church, Ash on 11 January 2026.

He ended that sermon by saying ”a day will come – quite certainly – when Andrew Watson becomes the late Andrew Watson”. He continued, “what on earth will be the point of my degrees and qualifications then, let alone my dubious hereditary links with King Alfred and the Emperor Charlemagne? I find who I am in Jesus Christ”.

Little did he know when he spoke those words that, within seven weeks, his earthly life would end. And yet they sum up the life of this disciple. That strong identity, which shone through his short illness, was an inspiration to so many. 

It was the day after the confirmation service that Bishop Andrew discovered the non-operable, terminal extent of his pancreatic cancer. The way he dealt with that diagnosis has been seen inspirational to so many people whose lives he has touched in his ministry.

That is why there has been such an outpouring of love and gratitude to a man who despite his immense intellectual and academic achievements remained rooted in humility and his Christian faith.