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In memoriam

Corporal Hubert Roe, DCM

 

 

 

Corporal Hubert Roe was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, around 1893, the son of Thomas and Ruth Roe. He enlisted at London in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (No.4392), his residence at the time being Marlboro Road, Wealdstone, Harrow, Middlesex. He embarked for France on 16 August 1914.

Roe later joined the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, probably as part of the headquarters contingent that arrived in France in June 1916 when the regiment was established from C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons service Squadron.

On 20 September 1917 he transferred with the regiment to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service No.41147).

Corporal Roe was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the fight for the village of Moeuvres on 23 November 1917, part of the Battle of Cambrai. The citation reads:

When his platoon commander was wounded he took command of the left flank, and secured it against counter-attacks. He held up the enemy's advance with great determination, and was responsible for bringing into our lines several wounded men.

Roe was wounded during the German offensive of March 1918, while attached to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, and died on 8 April 1918.

He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave X.B.3. The grave inscription reads:

41147 CORPORAL
H. ROE DCM
ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
8TH APRIL 1918

THY WILL BE DONE
HIS LOVING MOTHER
SISTERS AND BROTHERS

 

The family photo above includes Corporal Roe's brothers Private William Arthur Roe (left) of the King's Royal Rifle Corps and Private George C Roe (right) of the Hertfordshire Regiment and Royal Engineers.

 

Gravestone image kindly provided by Mick McCann, through his British War Graves website www.britishwargraves.co.uk. Photographs of Corporal Roe from Nick Metcalfe's Blacker's Boys.