After his father's death he was looked after by Protestant paternal relatives in Ulster, the Youngs of Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and the Casements of Magherintemple, and was educated at the Diocesan School, Ballymena, later the Ballymena Academy.
After his father's death, Roger and his brother Tom were looked after by Protestant paternal relatives in Antrim, the Youngs of Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and the Casements of Magherintemple. He was educated at the Diocesan School, Ballymena, later the Ballymena Academy.