He accompanied Captain P.King to explore the north and north-west coasts of Australia, in 1818, and was a member of King's expedition in 1821.

He was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia, and held that position for forty-two years.

He is commonly styled the father of western exploration.
He died at Perth on May 28th, 1878.

Mrs.Roe, who accompanied her husband to Western Australia in 1829, pre-deceased him in 1870.
On the date mentioned in 1830, Roe was in the field exploring in the vicinity of Cape Naturaliste.

Afterwards he was active in the country between the head-waters of the Kalgan and Hay Rivers.