Funeral of Lt Cdr Roger DavieS RN
22 Jan 2026 - Past-President Chris Massie-Taylor OBE, Vice Chairman & Webmaster Rob Hoole and member Dougie MacDonald represented the MCDOA at yesterday’s funeral of Roger Davies at the Test Valley Crematorium near Romsey (See my article for 26 Dec 2026). Other attendees included a strong contingent from the HMS Ganges Association as well as many of Roger’s fellow Masons.
We walked into the chapel to the sound of Katherine Jenkins singing ‘Time To Say Goodbye’. The full Order of Service can be downloaded by clicking on the image below but the ceremony included the poem ‘Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep’ and the Naval Hymn (Eternal Father).
The eulogy, delivered by celebrant David Adcock, included the facts that Roger was born in Pontyprydd in Wales where he purportedly, attended the same school as Tom Jones. His family then moved to Caistor-on-Sea in Norfolk.
Roger joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15 and was a button boy at HMS GANGES the following year.
He was commissioned in 1978 and specialised as an MCD officer at HMS VERNON in 1980. Hs work took him around the world and he was serving in HMS NURTON when she was struck by HMS BROCKLESBY and holed in fog off Portland in February 1983. NURTON once berthed near the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother came on baord for tea. This may or may not have led to Roger being invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Roger led the Portsmouth & Medway Bomb Disposal Team based at HMS VERNON for a while and spent some time in Scotland although he was mainly Portsmouth-based. He completed his 48 years in naval uniform as the King’s Harbour Master for Portsmouth.
Roger met his wife Sue in 1969 while home from Gibraltar. He visited his sister’s office to cadge money for the bus and there she was. They were married in 1970 and brought up their twin sons Jeremy and Gareth, and their daughter Charlotte. Beteen them, Roger & Sue had five grandchildren. Roger was a devoted family man who taught his children values and was always a soft touch for his grandchildren.
The family lived in Chandler’s Ford from 1979. Roger’s second passion, after his family, was his Hymer camper van in which they travelled throughout Europe, skiing in winter and touring in summer. He was still skiing last year at Grand Bornand in France.
Roger often visited Scotland on his own, undertook the Three Peaks Challenge twice and and cycled the length of the River Loire in France. He much enjoyed wind-surfiing, sea swimming and diving. During a visite to Disneyworld in Florida, he relished going on all the big rides though into his ‘70s. He also participated in walking groups and Men’s Shed.
As a keen Mason, Roger was Lodge Master three times. He was very practical and capable and taught his children wiring and plumbing skills as well as car maintenance.
Able to talk to anyone, Roger had a big personality, enjoyed teasing people and was active right up to his final week.
On completion of the service, we repaired to the Kimbridge Barn to raise a glass in Roger’s memory and enjoy a particularly sumptuous buffet.
I had a few words with Roger’s wife Sue and told her not to be a stranger if she needs anything from the Association.
My thanks to Tim Husband, whom I met at the wake, for alerting me of Roger’s demise in the first place and keeping me in touch.
RIP & 5 Bells, Roger.