Obituaries Australia

While building a seaside home to give his family enjoyment in the declining years of life, Mr. Samuel Alexander Roy, of Corneytown, collapsed and died at The Entrance, yesterday morning.

Better known to young and old as "Sammy" Roy, the deceased was one of the district's finest citizens, and died as he lived—working to better the living conditions of those around him.

Mr. Roy, who has been erecting a cottage on the coast where the climate was more suitable to his and Mrs. Roy's health, was sawing a piece of timber when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed before his brother, Mr. Bob Roy, and nephew Mr. Frank Irvine. News of his death shocked a legion of friends in all walks of life — from the pit bottom to high Government circles— and the deepest sympathy will be extended to his widow and large family group.

"Sammy" Roy was born at Tibooburra; 846 miles northwest of Sydney, 63 years ago. He was one of a real Australian family of 15 boys and girls, and at an early age became the close companion of his brother, Campbell Roy—the two were to be come vigorous personalities in the industrial field and gain wide respect for their advocacy of unionism and better working class conditions.

Throughout their lifetime the two brother's remained close companions until their association ended with the sudden passing of Campbell Roy. In quick succession "Sammy" Roy suffered the loss of his mother, Mrs. Rebecca Roy, aged 85 years, and then a son who was killed in a fall down the shaft of a lead mine at Broken Hill 12 months ago.

Earlier this year, Mr. Roy, whose health showed a marked deterioration, complained to friends of a heart ailment which had been worsened by the loss of his son.

The late Mr. Roy had resided in the Lithgow district for 35 years. He was educated Leichhardt, Sydney.

Together with his brother Campbell, the late Mr. Roy played a prominent part in the development of the Coal and Shale Miners' Federation on this field and held executive positions at various periods.

The two Roy brothers worked at Wolgan and became active in the affairs of the Federation when that body was in its infancy.

They were two of the few remaining shale miners who had been employed at Newnes and went from there to Oakey Park Colliery where, at the time of the colliery's closure, Mr. Sam Roy was check weighman. He had held the position of lodge president for many years.

When the Glen Davis undertaking commenced operations, Mr. Roy worked in the valley and was elected to official positions in the newly-formed lodge.

He was also a member of the first Shale Workers' Pension Tribunal and the shale workers' representative on the Reference Board which handled disputes in the industry.

In January, 1943, Mr. Roy was elected district secretary, but ill-health compelled him to relinquish the position in 1945. From time to time he was also a Board of Management delegate and was district vice-president prior to being elected Secretary.

During his employment at Glen Davis, Mr. Roy was injured in an explosion and this, added to his long period of service in the mining industry further undermined his health. Since the sudden death of his brother 16 months, ago, deceased's health deteriorated quickly and his death, although it came without warning, was not entirely unexpected by his family.

The late Mr. Roy is survived by his wife Mrs. Florence Roy, and nine members of a family of eleven. One son, Ronald Robert Campbell Roy was killed at Broken Hill last year, and Iris Lillian Roy died when a child.

Surviving members are:—Messrs. Cecil Tipping Roy, Samuel Kenneth Roy, Allan William Roy, Neville John Roy, Misses Lorna Elizabeth Roy and Shirley Edna Roy, and Mrs. Myrtle Florence McKay and Mrs. Irene Joyce Westbrook, of Lithgow, and Mr. Stanley Alexander Roy, of Melbourne.

The funeral will take place from St. Paul's Church of England at 3:30 p.m. to-morrow to permit members of the Western Miners' Federation to pay their last tributes to one who always championed their cause. The remains will be brought from Killarney, where death took place, and the service will be conducted by the Rev. G. Mills, of St Pauls.

E. McMurtrie and Sons have charge of the arrangements.