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George Roller
George Roller
1856-1941
1856-1941
Gentleman rider George Conrad Roller was born on 10 June 1856.
Gentleman rider George Conrad Roller was born on 10 June 1856.
At the time of his death, Major George Roller, D.C.M., T.D., J.P., was the vice-president of the local (Tadley & District) British Legion. A keen huntsman, he hunted with the Vine & South Berks, and occasionally went out with the H.H., the Craven, and other packs.
At the time of his death, Major George Roller, D.C.M., T.D., J.P., was the vice-president of the local (Tadley & District) British Legion. A keen huntsman, he hunted with the Vine & South Berks, and occasionally went out with the H.H., the Craven, and other packs.
He was the son of Mr F. W. Roller and was educated at Westminster School.
He was the son of Mr F. W. Roller and was educated at Westminster School.
During the Boer War, Major Roller served with the Imperial Yeomanry, and in addition to being mentioned in dispatches four times, he was recommended by General Rundle for the V.C. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his services at Senekal Kopje on May 29, 1900 and also received a commission. From 1903-1911, he was a major in the Middlesex Yeomanry and commanded the 3/3 County of London Yeomanry 1914-16. He was seconded to the Field Artillery and served in France. He was invalided out of the army in 1918 with the rank of honorary major.
During the Boer War, Major Roller served with the Imperial Yeomanry, and in addition to being mentioned in dispatches four times, he was recommended by General Rundle for the V.C. He was awarded the D.C.M. for his services at Senekal Kopje on May 29, 1900 and also received a commission. From 1903-1911, he was a major in the Middlesex Yeomanry and commanded the 3/3 County of London Yeomanry 1914-16. He was seconded to the Field Artillery and served in France. He was invalided out of the army in 1918 with the rank of honorary major.
He travelled widely and intimately knew Australia, California, Peru and the Argentine.
He travelled widely and intimately knew Australia, California, Peru and the Argentine.
He achieved a considerable reputation as a skilled and successful picture restorer, and many famous works passed through his hands.
He achieved a considerable reputation as a skilled and successful picture restorer, and many famous works passed through his hands.
Major Roller was a Governor of St Thomas's, St George's and the Royal Berkshire Hospitals, and took a keen interest in the annual hospital parade.
Major Roller was a Governor of St Thomas's, St George's and the Royal Berkshire Hospitals, and took a keen interest in the annual hospital parade.
He rode a few winners, including Modesty in the United Hunt Cup Chase at Abingdon on 3 May 1894. There were only three runners, one of which fell.
He rode a few winners, including Modesty in the United Hunt Cup Chase at Abingdon on 3 May 1894. There were only three runners, one of which fell.
He also rode the five-year-old Chilcombe to win the November Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill on 12 November 1897. It was the first time he had ridden the horse. They were reunited at the same course the following day but finished unplaced in the Binfield Handicap Chase. Three days later they turned out again, this time at Aldershot, but were again unplaced.
He also rode the five-year-old Chilcombe to win the November Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill on 12 November 1897. It was the first time he had ridden the horse. They were reunited at the same course the following day but finished unplaced in the Binfield Handicap Chase. Three days later they turned out again, this time at Aldershot, but were again unplaced.
Major Roller’s riding career was ended when suffering a fractured spine when his mount Random fell at the last fence in a steeplechase at Abingdon on 28 April 1898.
Major Roller’s riding career was ended when suffering a fractured spine when his mount Random fell at the last fence in a steeplechase at Abingdon on 28 April 1898.
He died in Tadley, Hampshire on 4 January 1941, aged 84.
He died in Tadley, Hampshire on 4 January 1941, aged 84.
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