Roger Radford, who died in January after a two year battle with prostate cancer, will be remembered as Hon Secretary of the Old Citizens Fives Club when he took over from Gordon Stringer in 1968 until 1975, having served as Assistant Secretary initially.
He was always very enthusiastic, extremely efficient and was a pleasure to work with. He played a part in coaching the school teams when the courts were at the old building. He also made several trips to Zuoz and he was made a Jester in 1968. Being a player of immense courtesy, he was noted for his hands on hips pained expression when unfairly edged off the ball.
At school, apart from being a stalwart member of the Fives 'A' team, he was a keen member of the CCF, was a 1st Class shot, and represented the school at cricket as 2nd X1 captain and then made multiple 1st X1 appearances. He was a regular participant in annual trips to France organised by Tom Manning, who was also the master in charge of Fives. He was on the Library Committee as Senior Assistant Librarian. In his youth, he also found time to be an avid reader of Biggles novels.
Apart from a short spell playing for Elstree at cricket, he was a loyal member of the Old Citizens 2nd X1 between 1962 and 2003, skippering them from 1972 to 1975, playing 374 innings, scoring 7,273 runs, taking 31 wickets, 88 catches and as wicketkeeper, made one stumping and two catches. Occasionally, he would also try leg break bowling. His annual birthday party, after playing cricket at Edgware in the park, was always enjoyed by those attending, though afterwards inside the house one had to dodge his model railway tracks.
Roger married Sue in 1971 and they produced a wonderful family of Andrew, James (both of whom were often inveigled into playing cricket for the Old Citizens) and Juliette. Holidays were relished in Yorkshire and France, but also many trips were made to South Africa where his sons spent many sojourns involving wildlife and other projects.
From school, Roger joined Clerical Medical and General Life Assurance Society as a trainee actuary. However, in 1984, the company decided that they needed to move to Bristol, but Roger and Sue decided not to go. Roger duly applied for and achieved the appointment as Secretary to the Church of England Pensions Board, who provide pensions for retired clergy and lay people employed by the church - a housing scheme is also run for them.(Most housing for the clergy is tied in with their jobs, so on retirement, help is needed with accommodation - the company also funds a nursing home through voluntary donations). Roger was thus involved in supplying retiring vicars their pensions and finding housing for them, which involved setting up and opening new homes on occasion. During those years of service, Roger saw the Board through a number of negotiations, including the pension consequences of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood Measure.
Roger also spent many years in the local churches as Treasurer and in other roles and he was awarded the OBE in 2005 for services to the Church of England. Even after 20 years of dedication, his commitment saw him still offering advice from his hospital bed.
Considerable energy, thought and time was invested by Roger to a number of voluntary responsibilities in the community: as a Governor of St Nicholas Primary School, Treasurer for St Nicholas Church, Treasurer for the Alms Houses' Charity, Treasurer for Elstree and Borehamwood Parochial Church Council as well as acting for another church trust. In terms of the wider church family, Roger was a deanery synod member, first of Aldenham Deanery, where he served as Chairman of the Pastoral Committee and then at the Barnet Deanery following its re-organisation.
In addition to living a full life, Roger was also able to be a keen golfer and photographer and he had a huge slide collection prior to the digital world.
An example and inspiration to all, Roger will be sorely missed, particularly as a friend to everyone he met, and our condolences go to Sue, Andrew, James and Juliette.
Geoff Bates