Three: Stoker First Class T. Roche, Royal Navy

British War and Victory Medals (145385 T Roche. Sto.1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (145385 Thomas Roche. Sto. I H.M.S. Hearty.) mounted as worn, good very fine (3) £60-£80

Thomas Roche was born on 1 April 1870, at Westminster. He commenced naval service as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Asia, on 11 April 1888, and was advanced to Stoker in H.M.S. Comus, on 14 March 1889. He saw subsequent service in several ships, including H.M.S. Crocodile, H.M.S. Sharpshooter, H.M.S. Dido, H.M.S. Illustrious, and H.M.S. Pathfinder, being advanced to Stoker First Class on 1 July 1906. He was pensioned from H.M.S. Victory II, in July 1911, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve at Chatham on 22 July 1911. Recalled for service during the Great War, he served in H.M.S. Pembroke II and H.M.S. Hearty, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1917. He was demobilised from H.M.S. Yarmouth in February 1919.