Harry Roy

During an early visit to Tamba- Tamba c 1901.

 

At New York, 1908.

Henry Royston Sleight, the Third Kakoy.

 Lady Harriet

Some notes:
Harry Roy, as he was fondly known throughout his life, was born in Bristol in 1890.
He was the only son of Clifton Gates and Letitia Sleight.
He was sent to boarding school at seven. He later attended Clifton College. Harry Roy had problems learning. He was affected by homesickness, over-activity and poor concentration.
From the age of ten he spent his summers on Tamba- Tamba.
He loved the island and the people, and spent more time at Palmerston Quays than at the Big House.
His lack of academic achievement worried Clifton Gates. Clifton Gates sent him to the USA under the supervision of Thomas Paine Cox, but this did not achieve the desired end. In 1908 Tom Cox wrote to Clifton Gates:
'We are all cut from different cloth; even the son can differ greatly from the father. I think Harry will never be suited to academic study, or to any calling that requires such a background. I'm sorry to have to tell you this. Rest assured he has been splendid company, and his conduct is at all times impeccable'.
Harry Roy was returned to Tamba- Tamba and placed under the mentorship of his Uncle, Sir Hugo Gates.
Sir Hugo retained an advisory role when Harry Roy succeeded Clifton Gates as Kakoy.

Harry Roy was known affectionately as The Mad Kakoy. There is no suggestion that he was insane, but he was prolifically eccentric. During his childhood visits he was indistinguishable from the poorer urchins of the quayside. In adult life he usually went about in the garb of a common labourer, and would, unsolicited, carry out various manual jobs around the island. Chimney sweeping was his favourite occupation. On other occasions he would assume the role of 'Lady Harriet' .
Paradoxically he was a great admirer of Lenin, and believed that the island should embrace communism. In the Kakoy household he treated his staff as his equals and insisted on doing his share of the domestic chores.
A keen smoker, Harry Roy promoted the growth of tobacco on the island.
He died at the age of 39, unmarried and without children.
It is commonly believed that he died as the result of a blow to the head received from a cricket ball some weeks before he was found dead in his bathtub.