Urry, Roy

Roy John Urry was born on 11 August 1917, the only son of John Urry (1879-1945) and Elizabeth Urry (nee Hudson) (1886-1976). He attended New Plymouth Boys’ High School where he studied accountancy and played cricket for the Old Boys’ club after graduating. He also helped to edit the Old Boys’ section of the school magazine, The Taranakian, in his role as Secretary of the Old Boys’ Association.

Roy was living at home on Hine Street in New Plymouth with his parents and sisters Marjorie and Edna when the Second World War began. His name appeared in the ballot list for service in August 1941 but his employers at the dairy factory where he was a clerk appealed to the Taranaki Manpower Committee in October of that year, claiming that Roy was already replacing a man about to be sent overseas and thus could not be spared. The firm was granted time to advertise the role, but Roy’s name was called for service in the Taranaki Regiment in January 1942. It is unclear if his employers appealed again or what his service entailed.

Roy got engaged to Joyce (Joy) Mary Headland (1922-2015) in October 1942 and the couple married on 11 March 1944 in Wellington. They made their home there where Roy worked as an accountant and had three children, Sharyn, John and Christopher.

Roy died in Wellington on 21 September 1998 at the age of 81.