Medals from the Collection of the late Roy Painter

Roy Painter

Roy Painter was born on 6 March 1950 and grew up first at Brewood, Staffordshire, before moving, aged 5, to the neighbouring village of Coven, where he lived in the same house for the rest of his life. Educated at Wolgarston Secondary Modern School in the nearby town of Penkridge, he left school in 1967 and then started a 5 year indentured engineering apprenticeship at HM Hobson Ltd, which later merged into Lucas Aerospace. Roy actually completed 7 years of further education as Lucas offered to put him through as an incorporated engineer. Offered a place at Lucas Group Computing at Shirley in Birmingham, from there went to Birmingham University, and in 1975 qualified as an Incorporated Engineer.

On 5 November 1969, whilst at a fireworks display at university, he met Naomi; their friendship blossomed and they later became engaged. Tragically, Naomi was soon after diagnosed with cancer and died at a young age, before she and Roy could get married. He loved her dearly, and after her death he moved back home. He wrote in his bible for ‘God first, and my true love Naomi’.

The Air Training Corps was a huge part of Roy’s life, having joined 2078 Boscobel Squadron, then based at Pendeford Airfield, on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, as a Cadet aged 13. Roy continued his journey from a Cadet and became an adult Warrant Officer. After that he was granted a commission and became a Pilot Officer, and was then promoted to Flying Officer. Roy held the post of Adjutant before finally taking command of the Squadron, thereby completing the journey from Cadet to Commanding Officer. He was extremely dedicated to the Squadron and impacted many, many cadets over the years, playing an active role in the various camps, parades, carnivals, flying, hikes, sporting events, and raft building. Roy was a wise gentleman and he always saw the good in everyone. He really encouraged the cadets to reach their true potential and had a huge impact on 2078 Boscobel Squadron.

Throughout his life Roy had a particular interest in military medals and memorabilia, and built up a varied collection, with a particular emphasis on the two Staffordshire Regiments, the 38th Foot (South Staffordshire Regiment), and the 64th Foot (Prince of Wales’s North Staffordshire Regiment). Medals to these two Regiments form the core of his collection. He also loved the music of Cat Stevens, and watching movies.

In 2009 Roy started worshiping at Lakeside Community Church in Perton, Staffordshire, and became a regular attender, helping out by becoming a ‘welcomer’ on the doors; as a result Roy’s beautiful smile was usually the first contact for people arriving. He loved making notes during the sermons and would quite often ‘write up his notes’ during the week. At the last count Roy had completed 21 volumes of sermon notes! He also loved volunteering at Wolverhampton’s food-bank, The Well, where he made many friends.

In January 2021, shortly before his death, Roy told his friends that the last 12 years of his life had been the happiest. He was almost in tears.