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A popular and multi-talented former headmaster who passed away recently has been described as a “true Caerphillian” by his son.

Roy Trotman was the original headmaster at Lansbury Park Junior School in Caerphilly, now St James’ Primary, and also taught at The Twyn and at various youth clubs.

It was while he was at The Twyn that he met his future wife Beryl Herne, who was teaching drama at the time.

She had trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and counted Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins as friends.

Prior to his career in teaching, Roy was a drill sergeant in the RAF during the Second World War and trained three members of the eventual Dambusters’ crew.

His son Paul Trotman said: “He was an excellent gymnast and also represented the RAF at cricket.

“At the age of 13 he had a break of 78 in his hometown of Bargoed but did not have a snooker mentor at that time to take that career further. He was also a professional photographer and won the Welsh Salon for his ‘bromide photography’ having many exhibitions in Cardiff.

“He also was an accomplished musician on the piano and played the accordion from the age of eight.”

After being demobbed from the RAF, Roy began teacher training in Caerleon and first taught at The Twyn before being appointed as headmaster of Lansbury Park Junior School.

Paul said: “Roy was a proud Welshman and his major passion was singing. He classically trained for over five years and won numerous Eisteddfods.

“Under his cabaret stage name Roy Ronelli, he appeared on the same bill as Dorothy Squires, Roger Moore’s wife, but his real claim to fame was singing on the same stage with Dame Julie Andrews.

Roy was a competitive member of Whitchurch Golf Club winning over a dozen board competitions in his 50 years playing there.

“He was also chair of the Probus Men’s Society for Cardiff east as well as being heavily involved with Rumney Wine Guild. He loved old western films and once met Clint Eastwood at his bar ‘The Hogs Breath Inn’ in Carmel, Pebble Beach, California – they both had a beer together and he apparently loved that day.”

Paul added: “He put his 97 years down to a glass of red wine every day, eating grapes, olives, blueberries, nuts, fish, white meat and drinking cranberry juice.”

A celebration of Roy’s life will be held on March 5. A church service will take place at Ararat Baptist Church in Whitchurch Cardiff at 1pm and a cremation service will be held at 2.40pm at Wenallt Chapel at Thornhill.

A reception is being held at 4pm at Whitchurch Golf Club.

People are requested to wear bright colours, preferably red rugby or football shirts, with smart trousers and a jacket. The family has asked for no flowers, with donations instead to The Alzheimer’s Society.