British Army Veterinary Corps
Francis ROCHE
Captain
Died 30 June 1917 · Aged 28
His story
Captain Francis Roche was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1889. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College before the Royal Veterinary College. He joined the Officer Training Course at the Curragh and then joined the Special Reserve Army Veterinary Corps at Aldershot.
He served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, where he was attached to the 39th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Roche was severely wounded at the Battle of Aisne on 19 September and invalided home.
On recovery, he was sent to Woolwich and returned to France in February 1916, attached to the 15th Hussars.
He died on 30 June 1917 from self-inflicted wounds and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.
Photographs and documents
Before the war
- Nationality
- British
- Date of Birth
- 1889
- Place of Birth
- County Kerry, Ireland
- Veterinary College and Date of Graduation
- Dublin - July 1912
Military service
- Last Rank
- Captain
- Regiment/Service
- British Army Veterinary Corps
- Secondary Regiment
- 15th Hussars
- Secondary Unit
- 10th Veterinary Hospital
- First Theatre of War
- France 1914
Medals and commemoration
- Name on RCVS Honour Board
- Yes
- Name In Officers who died in Great War
- No
- Medals and Awards
- British War Medal 1914-1918; Victory Medal
Death and burial
- Date of Death
- 30 June 1917
- Age at Death
- 28
- Place of Death
- Aisnce, France
- Cause of Death
- Self Inflicted Gunshot Wounds
- Cemetery
- Etaples Military Cemetery
- Location
- Etaples, France
- Grave Reference
- XV11.C
- Commonwealth War Grave
- Yes - CWGC Headstone
- Emblem or Badge on Headstone
- Army Veterinary Corps Logo
Where he worked
- No. 10 Veterinary Hospital
He is recorded with this hospital.
A recorded posting supplies context for his service. Exact duties and presence during a particular incident require their own evidence.
Connected men
- Albert Edward HOLDENAlso recorded with No. 10 Veterinary Hospital
- Michael John LUDGATEAlso recorded with No. 10 Veterinary Hospital
- John Frederick RICHARDSONAlso recorded with No. 10 Veterinary Hospital
- Edward James TAYLORAlso recorded with No. 10 Veterinary Hospital
Sources and further reading
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “Francis Roche”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/francis_roche/.
Contribute information
Can you supply a photograph of Francis Roche, with its source and permission to display it?