Roger Walker, originally Ship's Boy, was promoted later to Able Seaman (PP2) of the Swallow. Roger is mischievous, expert in matters mechanical and very fond of chocolate. He is the fourth-oldest and second-youngest of the Walker family children. The character of Roger was partly based on Roger Altounyan, who went on to become an acclaimed medical scientist.

At the beginning of Swallows and Amazons, Roger is described as aged seven, and no longer the youngest in the family (SA1). Next year there was much less room for him (before the mast) than there used to be the year before when he was only seven (SD1). Roger and Bridget are the only characters whose ages are given.

Roger is initially too young to use matches. When John is putting up the nails for the leading lights and Roger says he can't reach the lantern, John says You won't have to and Susan adds Not until you are allowed to use matches ... and by then you'll be tall enough (SA12).

During the relief expedition to the North Pole Roger patted his pocket to hear the matches rattle in his box. It was pleasant to feel that he, at least, was properly prepared (WH17). When John and Susan go to the Fram at night and Roger and Titty are left at Holly Howe, Roger sees John's bed is empty and decided that this was one of the occasions when a rule might properly be broken. He struck a match and lit the candle (WH18). Perhaps the "family rule" is not to light candles in the bedroom,

A roger is the Norfolk name for a sudden squall which makes a loud hissing noise as it comes sweeping over the reeds (CC23). Such a squall was an occasion for Dorothea Callum's rather lame pun about giving it some chocolate.

AppearancesEdit

List of books, with Roger's particular contribution to the plot, if any:

• Swallows and Amazons
• Swallowdale: sprains his ankle on the moor: Young Billy had poulticed his leg and said that nothing was broken (SD34).
• Peter Duck
• Winter Holiday
• Coot Club (mention only: CC23)
• Pigeon Post finds the "gold" seam
• We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea ship's engineer
• Secret Water
• Missee Lee Excels in Latin, enabling the crew of Wild Cat to have better relations with Miss Lee
• Great Northern? Helps speed the bonny boat Sea Bear, coast watch and humiliation by Ian
• 'Coots in the North' (Roger's later appearance implied in sketch notes for this incomplete story)