Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8313 – 13 Date of Birth 28/07/1895 at Chatham, ON.   Son of Tunis Washington and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Elizabeth (nee Scott) Roach of 132 Adelaide St., Of Chatham, ON. A machinist. Member of the 24^th Kent Regt. for four years. Attestation: 11/01/1915 at Chatham, ON. CDP 9/12/18.  Photograph of Tunis W. Roach in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham, ON. “ROACH, Harry Born 28/07/1895 Killed In France 19/09/1916”.

Harry embarked on the SS Hesperian in Montreal, PQ. As part of the 2^nd Reinforcement Draft 17/08/1915, reduced to the rank of Private. They arrived in Liverpool, England 28/08/15 and the draft was absorbed into the 9^th Reserve Battalion.

Harry first mishap occurred on 14/09/15 while loading horses into a railway car at 22:00hrs, he was kicked in the jaw by a horse, fracturing his jaw and as a result admitted to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital. In October he was transferred to the VAD(Volunteer Aid Detachment) Hospital at Shorncliffe and given light duties. He was discharged from hospital duties on 25/10/15.

5 January, 1916 Harry was transferred to the 21^st Battalion and on the 6^th he arrived at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD), Rouelles Camp, Harvre, France as part of a 227 reinforcement draft for the front. On 15 January they left the CBD to join the battalion which was completed by the 18^th of January as Brigade Reserve in Ridgewood and he was assigned to #7 Platoon of “B” Company.

15 September, 1916 Harry as part of the 21^st Battalion conducted an attack on a German strong point, a sugar refinery at Courcelette. During this attack Private Roach was killed in action. He was buried by his comrades recorded as being between Pozieres and Courcelette. In the two years between his burial and the end of the war the ground in this area had been churned up by constant shelling and his remains could not be located. As a result of finding no known grave his name was added to the Vimy Memorial.

After the war his British war Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross was sent to his mother at 132 Adelaide St., Chatham, ON. Thanks to the 21^st Battalion CEF group.

ROACH, HARRY Initials: H Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 21st Bn. Date of Death: between 19/09/1916 Service No: 400515 Additional information: Son of Tunis and Maggie Roach, of 132, Adelaide St. South, Chatham, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (04-02-1915), Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (09-12-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Grave Marker - A photo has been taken of the grave marker, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8313 - 13,
Supplemental Information	Date of Death: between 15/09/1916 and 17/09/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL

Height	5'10"
Eye Colour	blue
Age	19
Complexion	fair
Hair	fair
Race	white
Birthplace	28/07/1892 or 1895 at Chatham, ON.
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	William Gray, Sons-Campbell Company, Chatham ON
Average Earnings	15/wk
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Jan 1915
Where Enlisted	Chatham On
Next of Kin	Mother: Mrs. Maggie Roach, Chatham

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