Death of a former editor (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Death of a former editor

Former newspaper editor Roy Summerhayes, who ended a distinguished career in journalism as a sub-editor with the Wiltshire Times in the 1980s, died at the weekend, aged 85.

Mr Summerhayes, a former editor of the Ealing and Acton Gazette in west London, died at Northwick Park Hospital, north west London on Monday.

Mr Summerhayes, who was a newspaper editor for many years, joined the Wiltshire Times as a sub-editor in the late 1970s when both newspapers were owned by Westminster Press. He and his wife Peggy lived in Semington.

Jack Brennen, of Bradford on Avon, who later became editor of the Wiltshire Times, paid tribute to Mr Summerhayes who he described as "a distinguished and respected editor and a loyal colleague with a great sense of humour."

Mr Brennen also spoke of Mr Summerhayes' courage and bravery during the Second World War and how he survived as a Japanese PoW in Singapore.

"He was a truculent and feisty character who you couldn't fail to admire and I believe those wartime experiences took a toll on his health in later years," said Mr Brennen.

Keith Gale, deputy editor of the Wiltshire Times said: "Roy was a great character of the old school. He retained his enthusiasm for journalism even after his retirement and he was always willing to pass on his knowledge. His sense of humour was second to none."

The love of Roy's life was his wife Peggy who died a few years ago and from then until his death he spent time with his daughters.

Mr Summerhayes was also able to visit his son Ian who now lives in America and who this week returned to England to attend the funeral which will be at West Wilts Crematorium, Semington tomorrow (Saturday) at 11.30am.