Roger Challis (1955-1959)
Died on 19th June 2021, aged 79
Roger Arnold Raymond Challis was born in Bournemouth on 8th May 1942, the family having evacuated from London early during the war. This is the reason why Roger was such an ardent supporter of Hampshire County Cricket Club. Several years after the war, the family moved from north London to Cambridge where Roger went to St Faith’s Prep School and then on to Merchant Taylors’ School when he was 13 as a boarder in The Manor of the Rose House. He didn’t shine academically except in Maths and Latin. He much preferred the sports field and represented the School in various teams, including cricket, rugby and swimming.
In 1959, the family moved to Reading and Roger’s first job after leaving school was in a Quantity Surveyors’ Office where Ray, his father, also an OMT, hoped he would qualify, Ray being a Surveyor himself. However, this was not to Roger’s liking, possibly because of all the exams involved. He tried Insurance for a while but eventually found his niche in the furniture trade and was an Agent for several bespoke furniture companies. He enjoyed this work which involved travelling round the country attending trade fairs and promotions, making many long standing friends in the industry along the way. He continued in the industry until his retirement, which was only a few years ago.
Roger was a keen cricket follower, being a member of the MCC since 1986. He spent many happy days with his pals at Lord’s and holidaying in Australia and the West Indies to watch Test matches.
However, Roger’s greatest love and constant in his life was golf. He started caddying for his father at Gog Magog GC in Cambridge and soon became a very proficient golfer in his own right. He enjoyed membership at Sonning, Calcot Park, Moor Park and particularly at Royal Cinque Ports at Deal, where he was a member for 40 years and owned an apartment in Deal so he could enjoy seaside golf most weekends.
For many years, Roger represented the OMTs in the prestigious Halford Hewitt Tournament, which is a 10 man team playing scratch foursomes at Deal and Sandwich during April. Between 1963 and 2001, Roger played 83 games for OMT with a 53.6% win record. This is second only to Ian Stungo with 86 games played. Whether playing or supporting, Roger was renowned for being a formidable opponent against a variety of oppositions in many sports and games.
Roger was probably one of the most colourful OMTs who will be remembered for his charismatic outgoing character. Always known for his blunt, direct, no-nonsense attitude - he was to many an acquired taste. But to all of us who knew him well, he was very generous and had a heart of gold. Everyone in the golfing world, particularly at Deal, have many differing and amusing anecdotes to tell of their experiences of Roger, both on and off the course.
Outside golf, Roger was a very keen and proficient bridge player being a member of several clubs including the MCC and other London Bridge Clubs. In later days he spent holidays in Spain, just playing bridge.
Roger became an apprentice to the Merchant Taylors’ Company in 1957. His Master was Rear Admiral P.K. Kekewich. Roger became a Freeman of the City of London in 1964.
Roger was married and divorced three times but did not have any children. He was very close to his two sisters, Diana and Hazel and his four nieces and nephew, whom he would meet and entertain regularly throughout the year.
He died peacefully on Saturday 19th June in his armchair at his London house having played golf with the current Captain of Deal (winning their match) the previous day. He will be remembered with affection by all his friends who knew him well.
Roger Howard and David Simpson