Thomas William Roach, Royal Engineers

The Tyne Electrical Engineers originated in the early 1880s as a specialist unit in Newcastle responsible for defending the port with submarine mines and searchlights. Its work and numbers grew, and it soon became a full-fledged unit of the Royal Engineers. In the Great War the unit pioneered the use of mobile searchlights, defending ports on its native Tyneside and at Gosport from air and sea attack with searchlight batteries. Units were also engaged on the Western Front, where, amongst other responsibilities, they supplied water for hard-pressed infantry on the Somme and helped in the tunnelling work that preceded the explosion of a score of gigantic mines at the battle of Messines Ridge.When Thomas served in France he possibly participated in the work described above. Tunneling was very hard and dangerous work, particularly at the battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917 when 19 mines were exploded. As Sapper Roach did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star, he probably did not go to the front until 1916 at the earliest.

Born at Holyhead he was only child of Thomas and Emma Roach (nee Owen). In 1911 he lived at 63 Market Street with his widowed mother (b. about 1856), a Tobacconist and Confectioner, also born at Holyhead. At the house was Elina Owen, a Servant (27). His father (b. about 1855) was a Master Mariner, who died at sea on 2 November 1900. They had married at Holyhead in 1891. On the 1901 Census he was living with his aunt, Mary Owen, at the Chester Inn, Millbank, Holyhead, aged 6. It is probable that his mother was away as his father had died only a few months previously. The Roach family originate from Pembroke. There are still descendants of the Roach family in Holyhead.

From his Obituary, that appeared in the Chronicle of 18 October 1918, it was reported that Sapper Roach was previously employed as an Architect and Surveyor who had served his Articles with Mr A Asquith, Holyhead Town Surveyor. He joined up in 1916 and served for some time in France. He died from Pneumonia/Influenza at the Mersey Park Military Hospital at Birkenhead. Mourners included Mrs Emma Roach (mother), Mrs Gordon and Miss Owen (aunts) and Mrs Gordon Owen and Miss Pritchard (cousins).

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal. However, these medals were never formally received and were returned to the army as undelivered.

Buried in Holyhead (St. Seriol) Churchyard. The grave is also in memory of his father and is located near the east gate of the Churchyard. The Church itself no longer exists.