| Notes |
- EDUCATION & PILOT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE
Roy was schooled as a at Marist Brothers, Observatory in Johannesburg. Roy was a 'boarding student' at Marist Brothers throughout his schooling apparently.
Roy then relocated to his mothers hometown of Durban after matriculation and attended Natal University as an electrical engineering student.
At the same time as Roy attended University he signed up as a trainee (weekend) pilot with the South African Air Force.
• Roy ultimately achieved/obtained his 'wings' as a pilot and was based at the SAAF base in Durban, having attended Dunottar Training School in the Transvaal.
• Roy trained in Harvard and Tiger Moth airplanes. Roy was rated an 'average' pilot (the family has his orginal flying log book)
• Roy apparently crashed at least three airplanes whilst doing his SAAF flying.
• Once Roy had achieved his University and began his career Roy was placed on the South African Air force 'Reserve' and remained on the Reserve for a significant component of his subsequent working life ie well into his late 40's. The 'Reserve' comprised former qualified military personel and who were liable for 'call up' should South Africa find itself in a state of war.
Roy enjoyed the social life aspect of his university/Durban life so much that apparently his university studies took second place and the time taken to do the course extended for a number of years. Ultimately Roy's father Bertie (this information directly from Roy to his sons) , who it appears was subsidizing Roy's university studies gave Roy and ultimatum that he should either complete the Electrical degree at short notice, or funding would be withdrawn and Roy would then face the strong possibility (as a qualified SAAF pilot) that he would be sent to the Korea to fly in the Korean War.
The Korean War was a significant United Nations backed military action of at least three years duration to keep South Korea free of North Korean (primarily supported by Chinese weapons and forces) control. The forces involved on the United Nation side comprised primarily US forces, but also included South African, Australain and Canadian forces.
Roy promptly completed his Electrical Engeneeiring degree at Natal University.
- INITIAL MEETING FOR ROY AND SHIRLEY
Apparently Roy and Shirley Beryl Tomlinson met at a small holiday retreat on the Natal Orange Free Sate border in the early 1950's.
The retreat was located at SWINBURNE . Swinburne is a tiny village in the Orange Free State just off the N3 highway. It is located between the towns of Van Reenen and Harrismith .
• The bridge over the Wilge River in the town is the second oldest bridge in the Free State. It was completed in 1884.
• Although Swinburne itself may not offer much in the way of facilities, the surrounding area is both beautiful and a great area for hiking and climbing.
• Rensburgkop Mountain dominates the surrounding skyline and is popular with climbers and hikers.
- SPORT
Rugby
Roy played first team rugby as a 'centre' at the University of Natal whilst studying at the University.
Roy told his sons that he had never played sport seriously whilst at school, however when he statred university he developed an interest in rugby. Roy apparently approached the University rugby coach and advised that 'he was prepared to play for the University teams' !. Not surprisingly he was 'rebuffed' , but took up the sport and ultimately in his final year of university played first team rugby for Natal University.
Roy then played rugby whilst based in Manchester for Metrovick Rugby Union football Club.
Roy retained a lifelong interest in rugby union and was a passionate supporter of the Springbok Rugby Team (the national rugby union team of South Africa).
Roy and eldest son Denholme often attended Transvaal provincial/State rugby union games at Ellis Park; Johannesburg in the 1970's.
Golf
Roy developed a lifelong interest in golf and after his and Shirley's return from the UK, Roy took up the sport. Ultimately when the family relocated to Ferndale, Randburg Roy joined the RANDPARK GOLD CLUB and remained an active member for over 50 years *(receiving a club certificate recognizing this). Roy only retired from golf when his body/balance let him down in his later 80's.
Tennis
Roy and Shirley took up tennis whilst working in Colenso and continued this for a number of years after moving to Randburg. Saturday afternoons were spent playing tennis at a Club in Sandton whilst the boys explored and roved the local surrounds.
Bowls
Around the time of retirement Roy took a competitive interest in Bowls and joined the Ferndale Bowling Club where he was active socially competitively and for around 15 years. Ultimately Roy became tired of the 'politics' at the club, and moved to the LINDEN BOWLING CLUB and which was located within a km or two of his Retirement /aged care home from 2013. Roy was active at LINDEN until he experienced 'balancing problems' circa 2017/2018 and finally was forced by ill health to give the game away.
Baseball
At some time Roy developed a strong interest in Baseball ( a newish sport imported from the USA) and during the late 1960's/early 1970's took wife Shirley and three sons most Sunday afternoons to the Wanderers Club second oval to watch comeptitve baseball games . These included teams such as Crown Mine Giants, the ??? Park Bears, Pirates and others.
- CAREER
Roy had a varied career.
• His first work experience was as a two year College Apprentice at Metropolitan Vickers Electrical at Trafford Park, Manchester circan 1953 to 1955.
• On return to South Africa Roy joined the Electricity Supply Commission of South Africa, (ESKOM) the state controlled provider of electricity throughout South Africa.
• Roy and wife Shirley were almost immediately transferred to the Power Station at Colenso, Natal. Amongst Roy's responsibilities were those of being a 'linesman' where he and group fo african colleagues/subordinates were responsible for maintenance and repair of electricity lines around the Natal midlands.
• Circa 1958 Roy and Shirley relcoated to ESKOM in Johannesburg and resided in rental accommodation in Kensington, Johannesburg South.
• Roy also worked for a period for Impulse Merchandising as a 'Manager'. Impulse Merchandising was a shoe repair franchise/company.
• Roy also worked as a real estate salesman for Basil Elk Real Estate for a number of years , focussing on the Ferndale/Randburg area.
• Roy worked for many years a factory manager for NAMPAK in Johannesburg's west , NAMPAK is/was a large (listed on the South African Stock Exchange) pulp and paper manufacturing and supply company. It was during this period that the family property in Randburg accumulated multiple a) barrels of used engine oil - used to keep the heavy oil usage of the boys older cars b) large mats and which were used for i) cricket pitches in the back yard ii) the 'carpets' of the newly acquired family farm (with very old farmhouse) located at Mooinooi, Bufflepoort.
• Ultimately Roy returned to ESKOM and remained there until his 'retirement'.
• Upon 'retirement' Roy began business as a sole-trader laundromat owner and operator. At one stage Roy (and Shirley) had four laundromats, located at
- Blairgowrie (opposite IR Griffiths Priamry School ) - this was a purchased laundromat
- Randbpark Ridge - this was a newly set up laundromat by Roy & Shirley
- Linden - this was also a purchased laundromat, and the most proficable and longest surviving
- Parkhurst - this was a purchased laundromat
Roy loved being able to fix and play around with the multiple washing machines.
It being a cash business, it provided significant funds to enable Roy and Shirley to enjoy a sound lifestyle and with fairly regular visits/holidays to their sons in Australia.
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- SHIRLEY TOMLINSON JOINS ROY IN MANCHESTER
Circa 1954 Shirley travlled to the Manchester United Kingdom to join Roy , who was compelting an apprenticeship with Metropolitan Vickers in Manchester.
At one stage during this time Roy and Shirley travelled around much of Europe on a motorbike.
- RESIDENCES
• Apparently the first five years of Roy's life was spent living in Lourenzo Mareques, Mozambique with his father and mother. Bertie was working in Mozambique as a shipping clerk.
• Roy spent significant time at Bartle Road, Durban in his youth.
• Roy Boarded in Johannesburg throughout his schooling at Marist Brothers, Observatory.
• Roy lived in Manchester for approx two years circa 1954/55 whilst working for Metrolopolitan Vickers
• Upon Roy and Shirley's return to South Africa in late 1955, Roy joined ESKOM and was relocated to Colenso, Natal for approximately two years.
• Roy and Shirley then rented a house for approx two years in Kensington, Johannesburg when Roy was relocated by ESKOM to Johannesburg.
• In 1959 Roy and Shirley moved to a newly constructed house on a one acre block located at 200 Surrey Avenue, Randburg.
• In 1982 the Surrey Ave property was subdivided into two approx equal blocks, and a new house was built on the subdivided block facing 35 Cross Street, Ferndale Randburg. The Chapman family relocated to the new 35 Cross St house, and the 200 Surrey ave facing house was rented/leased to tenants and subsequently sold.
• Shirley passed away ion May 1998, and roy remained residing at 35 Corss St.
• In 2013 Roy sold the Cross Street property and relocated on a leasing/rental basis to Darrenwood Village a retirement home in Linden, Johannesburg.
- THE SWIMMING POOL
In the early 1960's , and having moved into the Surrey avenue property, Roy resolved that the family should have the use of a swimming pool in the back yard.
Roy resolved that it would be cheaper to do it oneself, rather than the expensive process of engaging a swimming pool supply contractor.
Consequently, and after Council permission had been applied for and approved, Roy commenced work on installing a pool.
The really heavy physical work was carried out by the 'gardener' who was employed full time to maintain the acre size property whilst being provided with the use of a room and basic amenities in the kaia /courtyard at the rear of the house. Ultimately a large rectangular swimming pool was completed after approx two years effort.
Although the swimming pool had frequent leaks it provided wonderful exercise and much fun for the family and especially the boys whilst growing up, being a highlight with friends during the summer.
Ultimately the leaks proved too hard to find and repair and as the boys were in their mid to late teens, the pool was left unmaintained. It was eventually filled in by the time the family relocated to the new home on the subdivided block at 35 Cross Street.
- THE FARM
1) 'The farm'
In 1972 the Chapman family purchased a smallholding farm at Moonooi; Marikana; Transvaal (now Gauteng),
Size was approx 20 hectares with one third leading up into the hills, and 2/3s being a narrow strip extending down to the stream which ran through the bottom of the property.
Funds for the purchase were obtained by means of Court approval for the sale of Natal south Coast property left to Denholme by his grandfather Bertie Frank Chapman.
The farm was managed by 'Koos', a coloured person who had lived on the farm previously. Koos and his family occupied (rent free) an adobe house erected slightly up the slope and away from the very old main house.
There was no electricity, although a diesel generator was on-site and could work from time to time ; toilet facilities were supported by a septic tank installed shortly after the farm was acquired (prior to this was the use of a bee-ridden 'long drop' located a couple oof meters from the house).
The Chapman family travelled to the farm very second weekend from 1972 to 1974 ; except for during the Rugby season (1st team games were played on Saturday afternoons)
- PETS
Pet animals were a big thing in the household of Roy and Shirley and their three sons.
Dogs
Dogs were a constant throughout the time of the boys growing up and beyond.
• Skippy (1950's)
• Poogy Too Tong (a stubby long shortlegged hairy fellow)
• Candy
• Peanuts
• Git (named after a dog in a movie), and the superstar animal of the family - a mixed breed part Rhodesian ridgeback, Git was around at the time that the farm was purchased and accompanied the family to the farm every weekend. Passed away quietly under a bush in the front garden at Surrey Ave in 1975, and was buried on the property.
• Chi chi (a pomeranaian)
• Pavlov ( huge mild mannered doberman pincher)
Cats
• Susie Wong adopted the family. A beautiful black and white cat.
• Tiger a ling haired burmese, who lived into her 20's.
Horse
• A massive grey/white horse who was acquired shortly after the farm was purchased and lived in the wild upper parts of the farm. As teh family only attended the farm every second weekend, Lady became quite challenging to attempt to ride. Lady gave birth to a short-lived daughter.
Pigs
Pigs were acquired for the farm and tended to become pets; also short-lived.
Calves
Three Calves were acquired for the farm and tended to become pets; also short-lived.
Chickens/Turkeys/Ducks
Multiple chickens were acquired for the farm was were ducks and turkeys giving rise to a unique 'turken' (a combination Chicken/Turkey)
Parakeets/budgies
These were all acquired for the farm at various stages and most were relatively short-lived. The Parakeets survived into the 19980s and were brought back to Surrey Ave after the famr was sold (in 1988)
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AIGS/FHC Member's - Family Trees
1929 - 2019 (90 years)
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