Roy was born on 22^nd May 1921. His parents were Reginald and Pamela (nee White). In 1939, Reginald was working at St Audry’s Hospital as the foreman of works with the family living in one of the hospital gatehouses.

Roy enlisted into the Royal Navy and after training became an engine room artificer serving on board HM Submarine Regent in the Mediterranean.  On 12th April 1943, HMS Regent left Malta for a patrol along the south coast of Italy. Sightings of a submarine on 13th, 15th and 16th off Calabria are thought to be that of the Regent. At 15:45 on the 18^th April, the Regent fired a torpedo at the Italian merchant ship, Baltic, but missed with the torpedo hitting the shore . This attack took place five miles north of Monopoli. That evening a large explosion was heard in the same area, and it is believed that it was caused by the Regent striking a mine. It was not until the Regent failed to dock in Port Said on 1^st May 1943, at the completion of her patrol was it realised that something had happened to her.

All fifty-three men on board were lost and are remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.