Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
They where there in a bus cars well over 150,he had a great send off.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Thanks for letting us know Vic. I can see quite a large sombre crowd gathered just outside the Yacht Club as i write..glad he got a good send off.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Yes, But I did not go back to the Yacht Club,I said my goodbyes to him.very good sevice which helps at times like this.I and many others are still trying to get our heads around this one.
I can still see him siting in my front room with the rest of us talking.
Guest 768- Registered: 30 Aug 2012
- Posts: 43
I'm finally home, having left Dover at 1744 (but collecting daughter on the way back!).
What a brilliant send off for Roger at Barham. I was stood in the corridor as the chapel was full. I'd estimate there was 200 in attendance. Well done to all.
For the wake, my thanks to the Yacht Club for excellent organisation and to those who donated to make the afternoon and evening flow.
I will speak to Pauline personally over the next few days but I think she was magnificent.
Roger would have been proud of the entire day.
Paul
Non me minoris aestimo
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Thanks for that info Paul..well done. I know it was clearly a shock for some of you guys who knew him well. I do have a picture from a distance of the gathered group at the Yacht Club but not sure if it is appropriate to put it up so will leave it there.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It was indeed a beautiful service; Barham chapel was full to overflowing - both upstairs and downstairs.
A poem-tribute to Roger was read out by Bernard Sealy, the Commodore at the Yacht Club and a tribute, by Jeffrey Waller.
The service was performed by the Reverend Ken Childs, originally from Sydney, but now Canterbury - he had such down to earth humour and there was great affection for Roger throughout.
What was lovely was that at the end of the service, Pauline turned and smiled and waved to everyone, then went outside.
I couldn't go to the Wake at the Yacht Club, but they have certainly done Roger proud.
Sorry Keith, I haven't been able to look in for quite a long time and have only just read your posting about picking you up - I could/would have done so of course and took anyone else who wanted a lift; perhaps you could have sent me an email ? Not to worry.
A wonderful service and Roger would I am sure, have been so pleased - a nice touch was that a Union Flag and hops were draped over his coffin - two great loves - Beer and England.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
sounds like a very moving service roger.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It was Howard, very moving and very warm thoughts of Roger and his life.
There was a piece of music and song from HMS Pinafore "He is an Englishman"
An obituary for Roger is as follows:
"Roger was born in Dover though soon afterwards the family moved back to its origins in Sheffield for 9 years, hence his great attachment to Yorkshire.
In 1960 the family returned to Kent where Roger completed his education at Castlemount School in Dover, then gained his first job at Crabble Mill in Dover for a few years, before becoming employed by British Railways in London, thus being in the lucky position of being paid to indulge his passion for trains.
Some years later he left the railways and together with Pauline, whom he had by then finally found time to marry in 1980, opened the Cabin Restaurant, specialising in high quality British food and fine (albeit foreign) wines; thereby once again being paid for two more passions in his life.
2004 was the year Roger & Pauline retired, which gave them the opportunity to travel around Britain and Europe by train and bus. Since retirement he became a stalwart of the Yacht Club and the Dover Society, as well as supporting the Kent Wildlife Trust.
Mention should also be made, perhaps unnecessarily, of his love of real-ale - British beer, throughout his adult life, leading to his early subscription to, and becoming an organiser for, CAMRA', though he did not manage to gain an income from that particular passion!
Another life-long love was classical music: his collection of records being perhaps only matched by his collection of railway, bus, and post box models".
A good resume of Roger's life.
Roger
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
ROGER;
No worries I did send you an e mail but no probs
It was a great turn out full to brimming and the service was well organised with a little humour.
never seen so many people at barham shows how much of a gentleman roger was.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Hi Keith
I've looked back on my emails from you and the most recent was back in May; not to worry, but I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.
Roger
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
It was a lovely service for Roger, and so very appropriate for him. There were so many people attending that they were standing in the aisle at the crematorium. There were even cars parking on the grass, as the car parks were filled.
Very many people came back to the RCPYC afterwards, and with the beer flowing, huge cheeses in the buffet, and heaps of good, if somewhat muted, conversation, I think it was an event of which Roger would have greatly approved and thoroughly enjoyed. A lovely touch was a picture of him, overseeing it all.
We still can't believe that we've lost him. It feels an impossible tragedy. I'm only grateful that we were able to spend the time with him and Pauline too that we did. We send our sincere sympathies and condolences to Pauline and all the family.
We later went on to the Just Reproach in Deal, and met again Mark. We discovered we have a great interest in common! As Mark said, "Roger has brought us together". What a great epitaph.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Yes and thank you both for coming to the service, and that would mean alot to his wife.RIP Roger.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
A great send off for a great man. He would have loved it too!
Maggie and Simon, it was good to meet you and hope to catch up soon for some more chat about our favourite subject.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
Indeed so - and I suspect Simon has another favourite subject in common with you too
I've added a link, as promised.
We'll mention Roger in the obituary of our next edition of "From the Front", the DWMP e-newsletter. Another friend to whom we sadly have had to say goodbye - but will remember.