RETURN TO THE BEACH FEATURE: The greatest part of Roy's life came after the war when he met his wife to be Rita. She was just 16, he was 23 and it was love at first sight.

Roy was something of a musical maestro, singing at various clubs and acting as MC in others and was regarded as a bit of a of a catch.

They were married in 1950 when she was 19 and he was 26 and they lived in an Islington flat for which they paid 17/6 (75p) a week.

"But to get it you had to pay key money a backhander which someone got to make sure of your tenancy," said Roy.

They came to Swindon along with Rita's parents when there were good working opportunities and they moved into a house in Penhill, swapping with a family who wanted to go to London.

Roy worked as a machinist with Vickers Armstrong, using his skills from his old cigarette machine days and when they closed he moved to Plesseys.

"I was lucky to get a job there and they were a good firm to work for," he said. "I stayed with them until I retired in 1989 and I still proudly wear the gold watch they gave me on my retirement."

Roy's main concern over his years has been raising his family and he has two daughters, Kay and Susan.

Kay lives in Swindon while Susan's home is in Yorkshire.

"I've been very lucky," he said.

"I've got a lovely wife and family who have looked after me so well and all things considered life's been good to me."