William Roy

James Roy and his wife Margaret (nee Bagrie) arrived in NZ, from Beggshill, Drumblade, Scotland, onboard the barque Grasmere 6 September 1862.

They bought land at Wairuna, Clinton, and raised 13 children. 

William was born 1870. 

William's brother Alexander operated the Portobello store from the early 1900s to c.1915. 

William worked with him and ran the Post Office agency and mail service. He also became the Inspector of Roads, and clerk for the Peninsula Road Board.

William married Alice Ellen Newmarch at Naseby 1909. They continued to live in Portobello, and three of their four children were born while here.

Molly 1910, Alan 1911, and William 1912 

Alan wrote of hearing the whistles of the ferry boats, Waikana and Waireka, and of travelling to Dunedin on these vessels.

In 1915 William applied for the position of temporary County Clerk in Milton and the family moved there. They purchased a house in Milton and William became the town clerk 1918.

Fourth child, Bruce, was born 1921.

The South Otago Hospital Board was formed in Balclutha c.1922 and William became the Secretary. The family moved to Balclutha and purchased a house at Rosebank.

William was the first school board chairman of the new Rosebank School.

William was also a lay preacher and travelled on his bicycle between churches in the South Otago district. Alan recalled William polishing his leggings and cleaning the bike's acetylene lamp on Saturdays in preparation for his Sunday journeys.

Alice Ellen died in 1935.

William moved to Dunedin and bought a house in Tomahawk Road, Andersons Bay.

He married Johanna Young Farquharson 1938.

Willian died at Andersons Bay 1958.

Johanna died in Dunedin 1972.