He became well-known in schools cricket circles and in 1948 captained London Schools and Home Counties Schools. He signed for Surrey but was able to play for Addiscombe on the weekends.

He debuted for Addiscombe's 1st XI in 1949 against Weybridge. He was just 15. As well as wicket-keeping, he opened the batting to great effect. Incidentally, his opening partner that day, Clive Dring , who would later play for Kent, was also just 15.

He was a consistently successful batsmen at the top of the order and in 1951 made 154 for the 1st XI. In 1952, he played against Addiscombe at Sandilands for an RAF XI in a star-studded team which included England players Fred Titus, Jim Parks and 'Fiery' Fred Trueman.

Roy was in the mould of the typical 'keeper of those days such as England's Godfrey Evans and Alan Knott. Roy was short and incredibly nimble with lightening reflexes. He was first selected for an England tour when still playing for Surrey 2nd XI as Arthur McIntyre was Surrey’s No.1 'keeper but Roy had impressed during matches for the MCC.

Roy was selected for England's Ashes tour of Australia in 1958/59 and made his Test debut on the tour when Evans was injured. The following winter he was selected for the tour to the West Indies. He and Fred Trueman did not lose any opportunities for socialising and apparently caused the odd ripple at Lord’s as they breached a code or two.

In the early sixties Roy retired from county cricket and returned to Addiscombe. He still opened the batting but no longer kept wicket and reinvented himself as a spinner who bowled a mix of off and leg breaks! In that first season back, playing only on Saturdays, he managed to top a 1000 runs. Some feat.

And he did not just entertain on the pitch. In the bar after close of play he would always regale us all with amusing anecdotes from his cricketing exploits. As well as being a great player, Roy was great value.

However, he missed County cricket and when Nottinghamshire CC phoned, he accepted their offer to play at Trent Bridge for the seasons 1966 and 67. He then moved to Gloucestershire for two more seasons in the early 70s before hanging up the gloves for good. When he retired he had played 286 first-class games which brought 530 catches and 66 stumpings and scored two first class centuries.

Since leaving county cricket Roy has been a publican, a distinguished antiques expert and an artist who paints famous cricketers. A picture of his adorns the walls of the pavilion at Paul Getty's cricket ground.

However, Roy has never forgotten his roots and travels up every year to the Addiscombe Past Players lunch. It is always great to see him and he never fails to amuse us with his great stories.

Chris Whitehouse (former ACC 1st XI bowler)