This Is Your Life: Roy Gill

Commodore Sir Roy GILL KBE RD RNR Retd (1887-1967)

The first truly 'outdoor' broadcast - from the deck of the Cutty Sark

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Roy Gill, retired Royal Navy Reserve officer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews onboard the Cutty Sark, from where the programme was then recorded. Roy had been led to believe the camera crew were there to make a film about the historic sailing ship, now permanently docked at Greenwich in London.

Roy, who was born to British parents in Philadelphia, USA and trained on HMS Worcester, joined the Royal Navy Reserves in 1905. He commanded Q-ships during the First World War before working as a river superintendent for the South Eastern Gas Board, in charge of SS Catford.

He returned to active service during the Second World War as Aides-de-Camp to the King between 1941 and 1942. Later, as Commodore of Ocean Convoys, responsible for directing the safe passage routes of Atlantic convoys, he brought all but 34 out of 1869 ships safely into port. After the war, he spent some time as Naval Officer-in-charge of the Tyne area before retiring. However, he was invited out of retirement to take up the post of Master of the Cutty Sark in 1957.

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