Roy John Thornton

Anyone who visits this site do please feel free to add to it in Roys memory and as a celebration of
his life.

Roy was born on the 4th January 1984 with a gentle patience that kept with him for the duration of
his short life. It was like he had some premonition that he would only be here for a short while
because he crammed as much into his life as he could and went for every opportunity that came his
way.

He was killed in a fall in the mountains of Austria on the 20th August 1999 whilst on a Scout
Expedition with seven other friends and two leaders. A navigational error and a basically stupid
decision by the experienced leader cost Roy his life. His friends spent the next 2/3hrs trying
deperately to resuscitate him, which sadly they couldnt. However, by their actions, they kept
themselves focused in a biting cold wind until help arrived. I like to think that Roy kept them
going during that time.

Roy was the eldest of three gorgeous boys. His brothers miss his calm, understanding nature which
would have influenced their lives further had he stayed with them. He was always rushing from one
activity to the next just stopping sometimes for a quick shower in between. Roy commincated well
with old and young alike and was highly respected amongst his friends. Those friends have been a
great source of support and help to us by sharing their memories and thoughts with them. What I
loved the best was their ability not to put him on a pedestal but to say things to me how they
were.

A huge part of me died with you that day, Roy. I miss you so very much but you remain a part of me.
I will always have three sons, its just that one is my guiding star.

I love you so much sweetheart
Mum xx

One night, late as I was going to bed I wrote this poem. It just flowed out of me and it was all I
could do to write the words down. It has inspired me and given me so much strength over the last few
years..

For Roy - My precious Angel (4Jan1984 – 20Aug1999)
If someone had ever told me I’d only have you fifteen years,
Would I have done the same or spared myself all these tears?
Would I have done things differently, if I had my choices all over again? Could I have been any
happier avoiding all this pain?

To not have felt the pride in watching you daily grow,
To not have known the love, that between us overflowed.
Would I have felt complete without you by my side?
The love I would have never known,
the bond that would have been denied.

The joy that came into my life the day that you were born,
Would I have enjoyed those years as much if that day had never dawned?
Would I now be feeling grateful that my life had not been blessed?
With all those precious memories which, now my faith does test.

The days and hours I had you, I hold close inside my heart,
And its those same times that comfort me for whilst we are apart.
My life changed to a different path the day you came to rest,
But my heart holds safe those memories, and I know I was truly blest.

You see, to not have had you in my life, would have hurt me so much more.
To have missed out on those years, not to have known the son I adored.
We do not know what life will hold, no one promised it would all be of good plan.
At times things have to happen, and we can only try to understand.

My heart can feel so heavy, ‘cause you were taken away from me,
But you are free from pain and sadness, in a world I cannot see.
I feel you always here beside me, I know you are not far,
And my life…..well, it will continue, with you as my guiding star.

So if anyone had ever told me I would have you but fifteen years,
I know I would have done the same, even though it meant these tears. You put so much into your life,
it’s impossible to measure,
But I know the love I feel for you, is something to be treasured.

You never wasted any moments, you tried everything that came along, You put your heart into your
life, and inspire me now to be strong.
Some people live a lifetime, but how long a lifetime be?
A lifetime is just how long we live, it’s what we put into it that counts you see.

So, if someone had ever told me, I’d only have you for fifteen years, There’s nothing I would do
different, so I’ll cherish those short years. There’s nothing more I should have told you, you
knew you meant the world to me.
I’m just so glad you came into my life and were a part of me.

Written at midnight with no prior thought of writing it my precious Roy continues to give me
thoughts, strength & help Love you sweetheart Mum x



'The Rest of Roy' 11th Sep 2007
Written by Denzil Johns - A Good mate.
This sums Roy's life and death up wonderfully...

We travelled along an Alpine pass
To a mountain top far from home
There slipped from our number in our descent
A Scouter true to the bone

Cruel and cold were the mountain Gods
Who looked on and shaped that day
It was a spiteful fate then that sought
One so young to pluck from the fray

Lush and green the valley was
A place of peace and rest
Yet peace and rest are a mockery
Unlooked for and unwanted came death

Ill used and fallen like a vessel spilt
This empty body did lay
With lack of breath at odds with life
Roy's soul was called away

Quietly now rest Chalfont's woods
Snowdon rings with mirth no more
For Peaks & Lakes lie undiscovered
To a new realm he's gone on afore

From the front he set his colours
High and proud for all to view
Slow to anger yet quick to jest
Right and wrong he always knew

Somewhere up in the solitude
Roy's journey ended in peace
The brightest light burns most keenly
But is often the first to cease

Having touched so many people's lives
While living however brief
His memory and actions linger on
Long after tears and grief.



**YOU** 11th Sep 2007
Written by Bhavisha, a school friend, and handed to me on the day of Roy's funeral. A very
treasured poem and a tribute to a friendship.

Our lives seem dark today
A light has been stolen away
The feeling of happiness has melted fast
We thought the light would always last

As the empty darkness deepens
Our inner strength weakens
We all drown in a sea of sorrow
Knowing you wont share tomorrow

From our faces run ice cold tears
Releasing all our hidden fears
Will our endless crying ever end?
Knowing we've lost you, such a good friend

But there is something we should see
There is a reason to be happy
The memory of you will never fade
So I remind us of you once again

There is nothing else that will ever compare
To your lips, your eyes, your spikey hair
Your sweet smile caught the eye
Of every person who walked by

You were who you wanted to be
You didnt look to impress anybody
But with your lovely, fun personality
You did impress so many

You loved living
Were love giving
You lived a dream, conquered your fears
You lived a lifetime in 15years

You have so many friends, that's forever true
But these are my memories, remembering you
Walking into your house, walking up the stairs
Remember the conversations we had up there?

We both thought French lessons were a total bore
So instead stupid pictures of each other we'd draw
All the school plays we were involved in
Remembering your skill at doing the lighting

You love your badminton and your scouts
Remember the good times when you went out?
All those times we both together walked home
The arguments we forever had, like over your mobile phone

I always told you yellow cars were sexy
You told me I was really silly and crazy
You always believed I loved you-know-who
No matter how many times I'd tell you that's not true

I miss our laughing, our hugging,
I miss our arguing
I remember you loving your clubbing

I know you're glad you lost your virginity
So I'll remind us of a rhyme you taught me
'Sex is evil, evil is a sin
Sins are forgotten, so get stuck in!'

You are a sparkling jewel
Who rescued me from my gloom
When I was sad, when I was in grief
You made me feel happy, feel relief

We love and miss you more than words can say
But we know we'll see you again one day
Living in the heavens above
Giving and getting sweet sweet love

So even though we feel confused
Even thjough our hearts are bruised
We are going to accept this reality
Knowing you have flown free

We know when we see a star
Shimmering and shining light so bright
That's where you are
Spreading your love into the dark night

Everytime I feel to cry
I'll wipe the tear from my eye
Because you would want us to be happy
Remembering how the good times used to be

So today we're going to feel the joy
Remember our special sweet boy
Remember sweet you
Remember sweet Roy

Dear Roy (my Father Karass!), I am 4eva thinking of u, I am 4eva missing and loving u. Enjoy the
poem. Loadsa love, Bouncing Bhavisha xxxxx (Sept 3rd 1999)