Roger Charlton, Falmouth Docks tributes paid after death

Roger Charlton, 56, went into hospital last Saturday for the routine operation but sadly died on the following Monday (November 8).

Mr Charlton worked at the docks for 40 years as a welder and foreman and had just recently received a long service award in September for working at the docks from September 7, 1981 to September 7, 2021.

Steve Jones (Managing Director); Roger Charlton; Steve Wilkes; Darren Rice (Production Director)

Born in Falmouth, he went to All Saints School, and then Falmouth School. He played for Falmouth's First 15 at rugby whilst at school and set lots of athletics records.

He was a fit guy in his youth, said close friend Paul Radmore who first met Roger whilst a PE teacher at Falmouth School and they had been close friends ever since.

"I first met Roger in 1980 whilst in my first year at Falmouth School and he was in the fifth form. I didn't teach him on the games field but in the geography class.

"Roger's value is immense. He was sent to Torpoint to sort out ferries sent to Devonport to work on the submarines. Everybody in the docks knew him and valued his presence and know-how. A hard man to replace.

The 1981 apprentices pictured in 1985 after completing their four year apprenticeship with the then training officer, Mr Roy Timmins.

"His death was a complete shock. I was talking to him on the Saturday night about where we were going to watch the England Australia rugby game and he died on the Monday."

His daughter Ruby Charlton, 17, paid tribute to her dad saying they were "each other's worlds."

"He was just the life and soul he just would have given an arm and a leg for anyone," she told the Packet. "He was a giver, he didn't ask for anything in return. We were in each other's pockets 24/7 we were just each other's worlds."

Roger with his daughter Ruby

Roger with his daughter Ruby

A Facebook post announcing his death garnered over 500 comments.

Donna, his former wife and Ruby's mother, had remained good friends with her ex-husband since they had split when Ruby was younger.

"Ever since we sorted things out we were really good friends," she said. "Ruby always said with us two being friends made her a better person. You couldn't not be friends with Roger. He was just lovely and smiley. I never heard Roger say anything bad about anybody."

Work colleague Donald Chambers said the whole docks was in shock at Roger's death.

"Roger was hugely valued and respected a loved member of the fabrication dept, a brilliant supervisor and organiser know his job backwards and will be missed not only personally but professionally as well," he said.

Last week Ruby went to the docks on her own to meet with work colleagues and was down there for two hours being shown around and talking to her dad's work colleagues.

Recently Mr Charlton had found love with Tracy Rice who he met two and half years ago and was planning to propose to, and they had been planning a holiday to Turkey together.

"She brought him such happiness that's what breaks me as well," said Donna. Tracy is said to be devastated by Roger's death. "She's broken," said Donna.

The date of the funeral has not yet been confirmed but afterwards there will be a gathering at Falmouth Rugby Club to remember Roger.

"Dad was happy towards the end, we did have our little extended family and we'd go out together. It was fun," said Ruby. "He was caring, gentle and fun.

"He was a legend, in fact he was more than a legend, so lovely people have written all those comments about him."

Mr Charlton also leaves behind his three brothers Alan, Adrian and Martin and his dad, Mike Charlton. His mum Jeanette predeceased him.