Sad to say that arguably Addiscombe’s most famous cricketer, Lifetime Honorary Member, who was capped eleven times for England as a wicket-batter died on 21st July 2023. Roy had been unwell since the turn of the year and had been in and out of hospital. His career at Addiscombe was extraordinary in that he debuted for the Addiscombe 1st XI at the age of 15 when he opened the batting with Clive Dring, who was also aged 15. Will that ever happen again?

Roy was a mercurial figure, a typical wicket-keeper of those days, probably 5’8”, incredibly nimble and spring heeled and a talent to behove. Roy signed for Surrey whilst doing his National Service and from then on it was onwards and upwards at a great rate of knots as he was selected for an Ashes Tour when in Surrey 2nd XI !! During an Ashes Tour in 1958/59 he made his Test debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Godfrey Evans was injured. He went on to play against India and toured the West Indies the following Winter before England opted for an acknowledged batter-wicket-keeper, Jim Parks. Shades of Ben Foakes in 2023!

Roy retired from county cricket in the early sixties and returned to Addiscombe. He still opened the batting, a 1000 runs on Saturdays, but he no longer kept wicket as he reinvented himself as a spinner who bowled off breaks and leg breaks often in the same over. Seriously. And he did not just entertain on the pitch, in the bar after play he would regale us with amusing anecdotes from his cricketing exploits that all and sundry crowded round to listen to.

One great story was when we played Mitcham, an all conquering team in those days, he had a bet with his bookie that he would score fifty that day. Well, Mitcham were bowled out for 81. Batting with Bill Douse and the score on 40 odd for no wicket he told Bill not score another run and he would share his winnings. He passed 50 and he shared his winnings as we won by ten wickets!

A year or two later the phone rang and the lure of County Cricket again proved too much as Nottinghamshire were on the other end with an offer he could not refuse, and off he went. After a few seasons at Notts he moved to Gloucestershire before retiring “again” in the early seventies. Prior to this season he was an Ambassador for Gloucestershire.

“Swetty” was a regular attendee at the Past Players’ Luncheon for many years and made a moving speech when Addiscombe celebrated its 150th Anniversary. He never lost his ability to recall amusing moments from the past and “it’s the way that I tell ‘em” that endeared him to the rest of us.

And now our thoughts go to his widow and brother and their families in this sad time.

There will be a minutes silence observed before the next 1st XI home game.