Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Paul Monvil Roach was born on December 8 1915 at Kadina South Australia, the son of James Richard Roach and Beatrice Annie Keast. The 1939 electoral roll records Paul as living with his mother Beatrice Annie Roach at 8 Doswell Terrace, Kadina, South Australia, occupation recorded as labourer. Paul spent his school years at Kadina,.he raised pigeons, and hunted rabbits to sell to help with family income. He worked as a plasterer in his early years, but by the time he joined the army he was a foundry worker. The 1941 Census record advises that Paul was living at 110 Senate Road, Port Pirie, his occupation given as labourer. Initially enlisted for War Service at Kadina on August 5 1940, he stated that his occupation was engineer/labourer, that he lived at 110 Senate Road, Port Pirie and that his religion was Congregational. He was initially a member of the Citizens Military Forces (CMF), on March 13 1941 he began 90 days full time training at Warradale which he completed on June 16 1941. He was finally called up and assigned to full time duties on December 10 1941 arriving in Darwin on December 19 1941. Paul enlisted in the Australian Infantry Forces (A.I.F.) at Katherine, Northern Territory on January 21 1943 (essentially a transfer from the C.M.F. to the A.I.F.). He was assigned Australian Military Force No. S23450, Unit 28 Australian Works Company as a Private (he was later promoted to Lance Corporal). He was 27 years old and stated that his trade was, Foundry Worker.

On his military record Paul was described as being 5’ 8’’ tall, having blue eyes, red hair and a fair complexion, with no marks or scars. His active service in Australia, North of Parallel 14.5 degrees South  (includes Katherine and Darwin) totalled 1136 days. And his overseas service in the South West Pacific Area (Morotai) totalled 286 days.

He was awarded the War Badge No. V19140, the Defence Medal, the Pacific Star Medal, the Star Medal and, the Australian Service Medal.

In 1946 Margret Mary (May) Robertson and Paul were married at St Kilians church in Bendigo. Employment opportunities brought the couple to Adelaide. Paul worked as a storeman and packer riding his bike to his place of work with the merchants Wilkinson & Co Limited.In August 1949 their daughter Pauline Margret Roach was born in Queen Victoria Hospital. In the early 1950’s they moved to Geelong where Paul was working for the Ford Motor company.  The family had returned to Adelaide by 1956 buying a new house in Aberdeen Crescent, Flinders Park.

Paul Monvil Roach died on January 5 1991.