Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Maurice, known as Maurie, was born in Yarrawonga, a town on the border between Victoria and New South Wales on the 23rd March 1913. He was the eldest son of Richard Joseph and Catherine Roche. He had seven siblings, Dorothy, Vera, James, Albert, Kathleen, Brian and Joan; however not all were to survive as the strong Catholic family experience several tragic deaths in the family.
Maurie had just turned 19 when his young sister, Vera died in July ’32 at home in Glen Huntly. Two brothers, James and Albert, (February ’35) also died early with all three now resting in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria. A decade, almost to the day, after Vera’s death, Maurie also died but in far different circumstances.
Maurie married Isobel Agnes (Belle), with the two having a precious son, named Maurice James (Jimmy). Maurie Snr. was a bookmaker, who also worked as a farmhand at Griffiths. However, with the outbreak of WWII, 27-year-old Maurie enlisted at Broken Hill on the 3rd June 1940. The following year he undertook a series of military-based courses before heading to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills in January, where he was promoted to Acting Sergeant. His good results in the courses were attributed to ‘hard work’ with an encouragement to practice confidence to become a ‘first class instructor’. By February Maurie embarked for the Middle East, arriving on the 23rd March and joined the 2/48th Battalion. Those who served in this battalion were to become part of the most highly decimated and decorated battalion.
By April Maurie received a further promotion to Acting Sergeant at the critical time the troops were fighting to hold Tobruk. He was also to become one of the highly regarded Rats of Tobruk, a term initially designed to destroy morale, but in a very Aussie way, was seized on as an unofficial badge of honour.
As the Siege progressed, physical conditions were quite primitive. Almost inevitably, Maurie spent time in the general hospital with stomach problems which continued to flair.
Following time in the Amiriya Staging Camp, Maurie returned to his battalion with a further promotion to Lance Corporal. He also attended Weapon Training and Mortar Courses as part of his on-going war skills development. By April ’42 Maurie was further promoted to Sergeant, acting in this capacity for just over three months.
In the fierce fighting at Tel El Eisa over July ’42, Romel aimed to conquer the whole of Egypt but faced the 2/48th Battalion which made a crucial stand. Dog fights in the air ensued as thorough attacks were planned with information based on patrol intelligence gleaned in night raids. Early in the morning of the 10th July, the battalion moved through the minefield, taking Point 26. Hill 26 came under intensive fire as the men headed to the Tel El Eisa Station. This included field guns firing point blank at C Company. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recounts ‘Sergeant Weston, D.C.M. who led the attack, gave orders to charge across open ground into the direct fire of the guns. Two detachments of our mortars, under Sergeant Maurie Roche and Sergeant Ken Trenorden, quickly swung into action, and as the platoon moved in, they brought heavy fire to bear on the enemy. Men fell, but the sight of the Australians charging with fixed bayonets was too much for the Germans, and 15 Platoon captured the crews that manned the guns.’
Just days later, as daylight appeared, a terrific shelling pounded the two forward companies. The enemy was mainly using air burst, rendering the shallow weapons-pit virtually useless. Captains Shillaker and Bryant both made urgent calls for head covering. Captain Potter, the quartermaster, collected old sleepers from the railway line, and odd pieces of iron and sandbags, and rushed them forward to the companies, but, even so, Sergeant Maurie Roche was killed and five men were wounded before sufficient covering could be provided.’
29-year-old Maurice was killed in action in Egypt on the 11th July ’42. He was initially buried in the El Alamein Cemetery, then in March ’45 was permanently re-interred in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Back home, the August edition of the Chronicle carried a list of those in the 2/48th Battalion who were Killed In Action. They were SX127 Lt. Frank B. Thredgold, Torrensville; SX9529, L-Cpl. Alfred F. Lear, Broken Hill, NSW; and SX5269 L-Cpl. Maurice R. Roche, Griffiths, NSW.
Maurie’s devastated family placed tributes to him in local papers, in the ensuing years
Sun News-Pictorial 1956), Wednesday 5 August 1942, ROCHE.—On July 10, killed in action. Middle East, Sgt. Maurice Richard Roche (SX5269) dearly loved husband of Belle, and loving father of Jimmy. ROCHE.—On July 10. killed in action. Middle East, Sgt. Maurice Richard Roche (SX5269) dearly loved eldest son of Mrs. K. Roche, and the late Mr. R. J. Roche. East St. Kilda. ROCHE.—On July 10. killed In action. Middle East, Sgt. Maurice Richard Roche (SX5269), dearly loved brother of Brian (A.M.F.) and Joan.
Herald Tuesday 13 July 1943, ROCHE.— July 10th, 1942, M.E., SX5269, Sgt. Maurice Richard. 2/48 Batt. dearly loved eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr Roche, dearly loved brother of Dorothy, Kathleen, Brian and Joan. Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 1 July 1943, ROCHE - In loving memory of Maurice who died July 10 1942 Inserted by Tom Roche.
Argus Tuesday 11 July 1944, ROCHE.—In loving memory of Maurice, SX5269, 2/48th Battalion, killed in action, July 11, 1942, at El Alamein. (Inserted by Mrs. Roche and family. East St. Kilda.)
Herald Wednesday 11 July 1945, ROCHE. — In memory of Maurice, killed In action, July II. 1942, El Alamein. Inserted by his mother and family.
In October ’43 Maurie’s remains were transferred to the El Alamein Cemetery Plot A IV Row A Grave11. He is surrounded by others from the 2/8th, 2/12th, 2/13th, 2/15th 2/23rd 2/43rd who died at a similar time. Maurie’s family chose the words ‘Duty Nobly Done, Always Remembered By His Loved Ones’ for his headstone.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.