Bill,
Coincidently the local paper - Holyhead and Anglesey Mail
(
www.icnorthwales.co.uk) ran with a small article this week concerning a
special bronze plaque issued during WW1 to the relatives of
servicepeople who were killed. It is 6 inches in diameter and has a
picture of Britannia on it. It is also known as the 'queen's penny'.
This plaque was found by Holyhead's Deputy Mayor, Jeff Evans, when he
was clearing a house. The plaque was in memory of Thomas William Roach
who originated from Market Street in Holyhead. He was a member of the
Royal Engineer Corps and died right at the end of the war. His army
number was 159871.
There is still a Roach family in Holyhead but the newspaper reported
that they knew nothing of Thomas. There was a Roach family who kept a
tobaconist at 79 Market Street and I remember a Roach family keeping a
small corner shop (Park Stores) selling sweets, groceries etc in Armenia
Street, very close to the old Park Primary School, which I attended
until 1960.
It seems unlikely that the Thomas William Roach mentioned on the plaque
could be the Thomas, aged 9 in 1861 as he would be too old for active
war service but he could have been a relative. The 1851 Census can be
found on
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/AGY/Holyhead/Holyhead_S_R.html
it lists 3 Roachs.
Thomas aged 30, Blacksmith living in Well Street with his wife Grace,
aged 24. They do not appear to have children at that time. Thomas was
born in Pembroke. Another Roach (John) lived as a Lodger/Railway
Labourer in Station Place. He also came Manorbier in Pembrokshire -
maybe he was Thomas' father?
The newspaper has appealed for information regarding the plaque and
Thomas William Roach. I will pass on any further information that is
published.
Regards,
Barry Hillier
Bill Martin wrote:
Can anyone assist me with my research of the ROACH family of Anglesy
The 1861 census shows Thomas ROACH a blacksmith, aged about 40 or 41
years, his wife Grace (born in Hollyhead and their three offspring,
William John aged about 9 or 10, Thomas aged about 6, and Alice Jane
about 1 year residing at Wynne Street.
On the 1891 census I could only find an Alice Jane ROACHE aged 30
living at 5 Devonald Street.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Regards & best wishes,
Bill Martin
Kakanui
New Zealand