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Private Martin Roche was the husband of Mary Roche of Shuttle Hill, Coleraine.  He had at least two daughters and two sons when he passed away.

Martin Roche had a brother called William and the two of them got into trouble quite a lot in the Coleraine area, usually for being drunk and disorderly or for assault charges. Unfortunately, over Christmas 1898, William died on the streets of the town. The cause was never certain, but he may have taken a fit, which was mistaken for drunkenness.

William though, through the years that followed, continued the bad behaviour even after marrying his wife Mary and having children. His wife also appearing in court during this time.

Before the marriage and after the death of his brother he served with the British army in South Africa in the 2nd Boer War, during which time he was captured and held prisoner by the Boer’s. Unfortunately, details of this cannot be narrowed down.

Martin Roche though did join the Inniskilling Fusiliers[1] at some stage during the Great War but was deemed too old to go to the front and was reassigned home duties and attached to the Royal Defence Corps.[2] At some stage during his duties with the Corp he fell into the dock in Galway harbour and drowned. It was three weeks before his body was recovered. He was brought home for burial.

Date of Death: 01/11/1918 (Aged 45)

Service: Private, Royal Defence Corps, formerly, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, possibly Northumberland Fusiliers.

Service Number: 84766 and 11164

Burial Location: Coleraine (St. John) Roman Catholic Churchyard


[1] William Roche may have served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

[2] Most soldiers in the Royal Defence Corps were employed at prisoner of war camps, although they also performed other duties.

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