Heslop’s Local Advertiser 20/07/1917
Arras Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Patrick Roche was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1876, he was the second born of 3 sons and a daughter. His father Owen Roche (1841) and his first wife Bridget Daly (1844) were born in Ireland, they had 5 children together, after her death Owen married Bridget Hart (1842), Patrick’s mother. They left Ireland between 1873 and 1875, settling in the north east of England at John Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, where Owen was employed as a quarry man. By 1891 they had moved to Railway Row, Michael (27) was working alongside his father at the quarry, Joseph (20) as a blacksmith, Patrick (15) and his brother Lawrence (13) as labourers at the chemical works, John (12) and Bridget (9) were scholars.
Only Joseph (29), John (22) and Bridget (19) were still living at home by 1901 their half siblings and siblings including Patrick were married. Patrick had married at St. Joseph Gateshead, June 24th 1901 Theresa Haffey, their daughter Elizabeth May was born June 8th 1908.
Leaving his employment as a barman Patrick Roche, despite being almost 40 years of age, enlisted December 1st 1915 assigned as Private 4377 to the 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment until he was mobilised June 21st 1916. He embarked with his Regiment at Folkestone bound for Boulogne France, November 3rd 1916, and joined the 37th Infantry Depot at Etaples. Patrick was assigned the new service number of 28283 and transferred firstly to the 4th Reserve Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment then on to the 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division by November 17th 1916.
The Battle of Arras raged from April 9th-May 16th 1917, the 7th Battalion E.Y.R. participated during the phases known as the 1st Battle of the Scarpe April 9th-14th and the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe April 23rd-24th 1917.
Private 28283 Patrick Roche East Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action April 23rd 1917. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,785 names inscribed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing, within Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, commemorating servicemen of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand, who died in the sector between spring 1916 and August 7th 1918, with no known grave. He was 41 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension of 18 shillings 9 pence a week for herself and their daughter as of December 24th 1917 and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 7, North View Terrace, Felling Gate, Gateshead, County Durham. She remarried in 1918 to Thomas Conroy, details of demise unknown.
The death of Patrick’s parents had preceded that of his own, Bridget Roche nee Hart died in 1908 aged 65 years, Owen Roche died aged 72 years in 1913, both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 20/07/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Patrick Roche, East Yorks, killed in action, April 23rd, in his 42nd year. Husband of Teresa Roche, 7 North View Terrace, Felling Gate.”
Patrick Roche is remembered in Felling on F32.06
