Roydon Charles Cornford passed away after a short illness last Thursday, aged 93.

He was described as a “typical old school gentleman”, “hardworking” and “ahead of his time”, after encouraging his daughters to have careers.

Roy was 19 when he enlisted into the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1941. 

He was taken prisoner by the Japanese when Java fell in March 1942, transported to Singapore, and put to work on the notorious Thai-Burma Railway. 

In March 1944, he was among POWs transported to Japan, surviving the sinking of the cargo ship Rakuyo Maru, by US Navy submarine Pampanito.

Roy was one of the 73 survivors rescued by Pampanito days later, putting his survival down to “being a strong swimmer”.

He was discharged from the AIF in May 1945.

One of the highlights of his life was in 1993 when he attended the 50th anniversary of the Pampanito’s commissioning in San Francisco, where he reunited with several of the crew who had rescued him.

Roy married Joan in 1947, settling in Wollongong where they raised Beryl, Barbara and Steve.

He trained as a painter and started his own business, which Steve continues to run.

Beryl and Steve spoke of camping trips at Jervis Bay, which brought the family to the Shoalhaven, where they eventually built a weekender and later a home where Roy and Joan retired.

His love of fishing and gardening was only matched by his passion for the local community and in particular the Huskisson RSL Club, more recently Club Jervis Bay, where he was a life member.

He spent years growing plants and propagating seeds which he sold, raising $8000 for Nowra Legacy.

Granddaughter Sheridon Tregonning spoke of a fun-loving grandfather, who never liked to be in the limelight but loved a practical joke, had a razor sharp wit, was a great story teller, and had nicknames for the grandchildren.