Thomas Roche

Thomas Roche

Personal Details

Born in Pradesh, India in 1874, the second son of William and Mary Louisa Roche of Mount View, Alkington Road, Whitchurch.

Husband of Dorothy (nee Hatton) Roche, of Exeter, Devon and father of Thomas William.

Thomas was a Farmer in South Africa. In March 1916 he returned to England and joined the Army, and was made a temporary Captain; he was awarded the Military Cross.

After leaving the Army he was returning back to South Africa with his family; unfortunately he was taken ill and subsequently died.

Military Details

Regiment : 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers
Rank : Captain
Service Number :

Died of Illness; At Sea 26th September 1919 Age 45

Medals and Awards
Thomas was awarded the Military Cross and the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal). His Military Cross citation read "T/Lt Thomas Roche, 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers: For conspicuous gallantry and good work during operations south-east of Le Cateau on 18/19th October 1918. He was in command of an ammunition convoy, and under heavy fire personally saw that the supply was kept at the right spot. It was due to his skill and gallantry that his battalion was well supplied with ammunition and rations"

Military Cross


Military_Cross

The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and used to be awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.
The Military Cross is granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces". In 1979, the Queen approved a proposal that a number of awards, including the Military Cross, could be awarded posthumously.

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.



Campaign Medals


Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.



Further Information

Will of Thomas Roche
Roche, Thomas of Johannesburg Transvaal South Africa died 26 September 1919 at sea Probate London 4 March to Dorothy Roche widow. Effects £1133 15s.

Taken from Forces War Records


If you can provide any further information on Thomas Roche please get in touch by leaving a comment below, using our Contact Form or by calling in to Whitchurch Heritage Centre.


Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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