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Auction: 8010 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 173

A Poignant Great War Group of Five to Corporal R. de R. Roche, 16th (Queen´s Westminster Rifles) London Regiment, Killed in Action 8.1.1915, with the Memorial Plaque of the Soldier Who Was Killed Trying to Save Him, Rifleman P.H.A. Tibbs of the Same Regiment; Both Men Were Posthumously Mentioned in Despatches, and are Buried Next to Each Other in the Houplines Communal Cemetery, France Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, five 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. Oakleaves (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.), with identical Territorial Force Efficiency Medal issued erroneously, generally good very fine, with Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque, ´Richard De Rupe Roche´, this in card box of issue, and photographic image of recipient; and with the following related original documentation: - M.I.D. Certificate, dated 31.5.1915, with letter from the War Office to ´Mrs. R. de R. Roche, 4 Victoria Villas, Broodwood, Surrey´ as next of kin informing her of recipient being posthumously Mentioned in Despatches, letter dated 13.12.1915 - Enclosure slip for recipient´s British War and Victory Medals Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque, ´Philip Henry Tibbs´ (lot) Estimate £ 640-680 409 Corporal Richard de Rupe Roche, born Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, the son of Captain Richard Roche, R.N.; served in the 50th (Hampshire) Company 17th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, 27.2.1900-7.8.1901; represented Ireland at Bisley several times, and finished four times in the final Hundred for the King´´s Prize; served during the Great War with the 16th (Queen´´s Westminster Rifles) Battalion London Regiment on the Western Front from 1.11.1914; he was killed in action 8.1.1915, ´´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 rear of the trench and in full view of the enemy, who was not more than one hundred and fifty yards away. It was practically certain death to reach him but two very gallant men, Rifleman PHA Tibbs, a stretcher bearer and Rifleman Pouchot (both of number 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 as he was 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.´´ (History of the Queen´´s Westminster Rifles, refers); both Roche and Tibbs were mentioned in the same despatch, that of Field Marshal Sir John French (London Gazette 22.6.1915.) and the two comrades are buried next to each other in the Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.

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