Six: Corporal R. De R. Roche, 1/16 London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), late Imperial Yeomanry, a noted marksman who was dangerously wounded in the Boer War and killed at Houplines in January 1915 - but not before winning a “mention” for single-handedly engaging a German night patrol

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (4766 Tpr. R. De. Rupe Roche, 50th Coy. 17th Impl. Yeo.); 1914 Star (409 L. Cpl. R. De R. Roche, 1/16 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (409 Cpl. R. De R. Roche, 16-Lond. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (409 Pte. R. De R. Roche, 16/Lond. Regt.); another identical (409 Pte. R. De R. Roche, 16/Lond. Regt.), together with Memorial Plaques 1914-18 (2), being his own (Richard De Rupe Roche) and that of (Philip Henry Tibbs), who was killed in attempting to save the recipient’s life, one of the T.F.E.M’s with officially corrected surname, the first a little polished, nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine and better (8)
£700-900

Richard De Rupe Roche, who was born in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry in February 1900, aged 20 years. Posted to the 50th (Hampshire) Company, 17th Battalion, he served in South Africa from April 1900 until July 1901, and was dangerously wounded at Rondal in March 1901.

On being discharged back in the U.K. later that year, he enrolled in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles and, as evidenced by the following extract taken from his obituary notice in the Territorial Service Gazette, gained a name for himself as a marksman: ‘Roche had shot for Ireland at Bisley, appearing in the National Match which England won in July 1914. He made the second best score in his team. In 1913 he shot for Ireland in the Mackinnon Match, which Australia won, and he had many other representative honours. He was four times in the final Hundred for the King’s Prize. Last July he finished 35th, and the other years of his entry to the final were 1910, 1911 and 1912. He married the daughter of Mr. G. E. Fulton, a former Queen’s Prize Winner, and he was in the trenches with A. G. Fulton, who won the King’s Prize in 1912 and lost in 1914 on a tie.’

He was awarded his T.F.E.M. in AO 282 of October 1911.

Mobilised on the outbreak of hostilities, Roche entered the French theatre of war as a Lance-Corporal on 1 November 1914, where, one week later, the Battalion was inspected by Lord French, who later wrote, ‘The Queen’s Westminsters were so good that they were able to be sent to the front immediately.’ Just three weeks later, Roche won his mention in despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915 refers), his gallant deeds being described in the regimental history:

‘On 30 November, Lieutenant J. B. Baber and Corporal R. de R. Roche captured the first prisoners for the Battalion. They had gone out to patrol along a ditch some way in front of the line, when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by three different parties of the enemy who had apparently arranged to meet at a certain spot. Two of the enemy patrols passed by without their suspicions aroused, but the third consisting of three men were making their way towards the place where Lieutenant Baber and Corporal Roche were crouching. The latter immediately opened fire, and after killing one man rushed the remaining two, who threw down their rifles and surrendered.’

By late December, the Battalion’s trenches were waist deep in water in places, though the men were afforded brief respite by an excursion into No Man’s Line on Christmas Day, a truce having been agreed with the enemy - carols were sung and gifts exchanged, and one German officer of the 107th Regiment claimed he was originally from Catford in London.

Roche was killed on 8 January 1915, the regimental history describing his fate in the following terms:

‘On 8 January, just as it was beginning to get light, Corporal R. de R. Roche was shot as he was crossing the open to get some water for his gun. He was not missed until after daylight when he was seen lying in the rear of the trench and in full view of the enemy, who was not more more than 150 yards away. It was practically certain death to reach him but two very gallant men, Rifleman P. H. A. Tibbs [re. above described Memorial Plaque], a stretcher bearer, and Rifleman Pouchot, both of No. 2 Company, crawled out to him to see if anything could be done. As soon as they were seen the enemy opened fire on them but both men went on and succeeded in reaching Corporal Roche, who was found to be dead. Rifleman Tibbs was killed kneeling over his body; but Rifleman Pouchot, who saw that both men were beyond help, managed to get back to our lines untouched. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his bravery on this occasion and thus won the first decoration gained by the Battalion. Rifleman P. H. A. Tibbs was mentioned in despatches. Corporal Roche was a noted rifle and revolver shot and a very keen member of the Regiment. At home he had always been ready to give others the benefit of his experience; he had served in the South African War and in France he had already done some splendid work for which he was mentioned in despatches. In him the Battalion lost a good soldier and a very true comrade.’

The elder son of Captain Richard Roche, R.N., and Maria Roche, and the husband of Ethel Roche of Woking, he was 34 years old and is buried in the Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Sold with original M.I.D. certificate and related War Office forwarding letter, dated 13 December 1915, together with Record Office forwarding letter for the British War & Victory Medals, this dated 12 August 1922.