Pte Herbert James Roe

PTE HERBERT JAMES ROE KIA 26 FEB 1917 - PHOTOGRAPHS BY CSGT IVAN ROE, A (NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK COY, EAST OF ENGLAND REGT)
B&C 95 Dec 00 reported that Gordon K Reynolds (Suffolk, 4 Royal Norfolk, East Anglian and 5 Royal Anglian 1945-46 and 1952-73), of Lowestoft, had rescued from a local antique shop a photograph (right) of a smart young soldier in a 17"x 22" frame.
Our astute and avid reader of the B&C, Alan Solomon (decd Jan 05), also of Lowestoft, provided the name of the soldier. 'Looking at this photograph reminded me of one I had seen in ‘The Carlton Colville Chronicles’, published a few years ago. It has extracts from the 1901-1940 diary of the Rector of Carlton Colville, especially detailed for 1914-18. It includes a photograph of brothers Herbert and Charles Roe. The likeness between that of Herbert and of the soldier in Gordon’s photograph is so great to make us feel sure they are the same man.
The children of the family were 3 brothers and one sister: Herbert James Roe 13897 2nd Bn Norfolk Regt, killed 26 Feb 1917 aged 23 in Mesopotamia and buried in Amera War Cemetery, Iraq. Charles William Roe DCM MM, 21372, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed 22 Oct 1914 aged 23, buried in Belgium. Charles Reuben Simon Roe served until 1919 and emigrated to Canada. Violet Roe served in the WAAC.
Gordon and I have tried to trace relatives of Violet and pass on the photograph but newspaper advertisements have brought no success. The next step is for Gordon to offer it to The Regimental Museum.
The burial details came from The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Graves website http://yard.ccta.gov.uk/cwgc/register.nsf

B&C 99 Dec 02 reported the photograph is now safely in the Norwich Regimental Museum.

In Mar 04 the Webmaster sent an e-mail to Maj Bob Rogers, OC A (Norfolk and Suffolk) Coy, East of England Regt, serving in Iraq:
'It's a long shot and much to ask in a big country given present circumstances, but is there any chance of getting a print or digital photograph of Herbert's headstone in Amera War Cemetery, Iraq.'
Bob pulled out all the stops and responded with this heartening effort:
'Just to let you know where I have got to. After a few days research I have found the actual town and cemetery.
Its no longer called Amera, the town having been renamed Al Amara. This is about 60 km North of my location.
I have phoned the Padre of the unit stationed outside the town and he has kindly informed me that the place is in a state of disrepair. However there are quite a few name plaques that have been saved and I am hoping to find ours there.
I have a team from my location on standby to go - a minimum of 4 pax and 2 vehicles. We will be met at the camp and given extra protection to go into the town and the Padre has also offered to come along.
The only question now is when as the town at the moment is oob due to IEDs and riots. We at Basra are also going through interesting times as well. It probably has not made your news.
However I will get there and my RSM has been tasked with the manpower to arrange the trip. I will be in touch when mission accomplished!
I am sure you know that our Herbert was the son of Herbert J and Emma C Roe of 118 Old Palace Rd, Norwich. He was born at Gillingham. As a strange coincidence my CQMS at A Company name is Ivan Roe.'

The above was ready for B&C 102 Jun 04 and for 'The Castle' but Bob wrote in Apr 04:

'As Al Amara is now completely OOB due to the fact we have now started shooting the locals, it is going to be quite some time before I get there.'

In view of security implications, and, especially hostage-taking, and the implications if 'the locals' got wind of a small Brit party heading for Al Amara, the Norfolk Editor pulled the piece.

Ivan Roe wrote:
'The gentleman who kicked this off, Gordon Reynolds, lives just round the corner from me and interestingly he was one of my instructors when I was in the Army Cadets 28 years ago.
I will try to find out what I can about Herbert Roe but unfortunately as my Dad and his mother (who was an oracle of history in and around Bungay) are both dead I might struggle a bit. If Herbert's father was born in Gillingham there is a strong possibility that I am related to him as the Roe family all lived in and around the Waveney valley.
The quest begins.'

Ivan and I met in Dereham at the ceremony in Feb 02, right, when Lord Lieutenant’s Certificates were presented for Outstanding Service!

However, ever determined, A Coy CQMS Ivan Roe was mobilized for Iraq in Autumn 2004 and sent the following photographs at Al Amera!

Webmaster comment: Fantastic! Thank you.