Tribute to Roy Bates
An alternative tribute from our long forgotten period archive press cuttings
Roy was proud to be branded a Pirate, Buccaneer & Eccentric Englishman
Issue: 3 Date: 20th August 2023
News of the World (July/August 1965)
Press Cutting (July/August 1965)
Press Cutting (July/August 1965)
Press Cutting (July/August 1965)
Press Cutting (September 1965)
Press Cutting (September 1965)
Copley News (October 1965)
Radio Essex is On-Air from the Knock John Fort
Daily Mirror (5th September 1966) | Daily Telegraph ( 5th September 1966) |
Sunday Telegraph (5th September 1966) | Daily Telegraph (29th September 1966) |
Daily Express (29th September 1966)
Press Cutting (1st December 1966)
Daily Express (1st December 1966)
Daily Telegraph (1st December 1966) | Daily Telegraph (18th January 1967) |
One of the few Offshore Radio people that had true grit, Roy with a small team of supporters (by then the money had run so no wages) moved the outlawed Radio Essex towards the end BBMS (Britain's Better Music Station) from the Knock
Press Cutting (1966)
Radio Essex decamp lock stock and barrel from Knock John Fort over to the Roughs Fort during Christmas 1966
Many anticipated the radio station would recommence but the old WWII Roughs Fort remained silent
Press Cutting (1966)
Over the years since there've been moves by the authorities to buy or take back the Fort, other take over attempts and seizures
Press Cutting (1966)
In more recent times a devastating fire left the Fort uninhabited for a number of days, but despite everything the Bates Family have hung on to their precious Fort
Practical Wireless (13th January 1967) | Daily Telegraph (12th April 1967) |
Health Resort (June 1967)
Having put a Jack Moore and daughter Jane aboard on 11th August 1965 Ronan O'Rahilly on behalf of his Radio Caroline claim Roughs Fort ahead of Roy Bates
Daily Express (30th June 1967)
27th June talks after Michael Bates and David Barron (Belesco) deterred a party of seven on the radio ship tender 'Offshore Two' from Radio Caroline boarding
Sealand (Undated)
Roy Bates declared the Roughs Fort the Principality of Sealand on the 2nd September 1967 as it's colours flew from a scaffold pole attached to the Southern legs 3.7mm AA Gun
Press Cutting (August 1978)
Roy and Joan Bates
Since then a small willing caretaker crew have maintained Sealand which continues to fascinated and remained news worthy
The Principality of Sealand can hardly be described as a paradise but nevertheless it was Roy's Domain
Roy Bates 24th August 1921 - 9th October 2012
A few of the many tributes & obituaries to Roy Bates : The Times : The Telegraph : The Guardian : Daily Mail : The Express : The Independent : New York Times : Time News Feed : Herald Scotland : BBC News East Anglia & Essex : Global Times : South China Morning Post : TNT Magazine : NPR : Springtime of Nations : World War History Online : Laboratorium : Royal Forums : The Pirate Hall of Fame : Offshore Echos :