Part 165

=ROGERS, RONALD JOSEPH=, Capt., 14th Battn. The Rifle Brigade, attd. 1st Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, only _s._ of Joseph Rogers of River Mead, Keynsham, Bristol, formerly of Weston-super-Mare, by his wife, Jane, dau. of Henry Lovebond, of Bridgwater; _b._ Sandford, Banwell, co. Somerset, 18 Dec. 1883; educ. St. Peter’s School, Weston-super-Mare, and Blundells School, Tiverton; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 16 Jan. 1901; promoted Lieut. 1903, and Capt. April, 1908; served in the South African War, 1902, taking part in the operations in Cape Colony and Orange River Colony, March to 31 May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with three clasps). He retired in 1908 and went to the Malay States, where he held an appointment as Manager of a rubber estate; but after the outbreak of the European War offered his services and was appointed Capt. in the 14th Rifle Brigade, 20 March, 1915; went to the Dardanelles 21 May, 1915, attd. to the 1st Battn. of his old regt., and was killed in action at Saghir Dere Ravine, 28 June following, during the great advance on Krithia. Buried there. Capt. Rogers was a famous Rugby football player; played for Somerset, and was chosen by the Rugby Football Union as forward in the British team, 1904, against Australia and New Zealand. He also held the Vellum Certificate of the Royal Humane Society for saving his own father’s life at sea at Newport, Pembrokeshire, 2 Oct. 1897. He _m._ at Plymouth, 7 Nov. 1911, Hilda May, eldest dau. of Col. Alfred Lionel McNair, of Merrifield House, Plympton, South Devon, and had a son, Geoffrey Ronald, _b._ 16 Nov. 1912.

=ROGERS, VALENTINE WILLIAM=, A.B. (R.F.R., I.C. 541), 200458, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=COXWELL-ROGERS, RICHARD HUGH=, of Dowdeswell Court, Trooper, No. 2234, Royal Gloucestershire Yeomanry (T.F.), only _s._ of the late Godfrey Hugh Wheeler Coxwell-Rogers, of Dowdeswell Court, and Ablington, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Aileen Emma (Donegal Cottage, Carrigaloe, co. Cork), dau. of Richard Hugh Smith Barry, of Bally Edmond, co. Cork; _b._ Leckhampton, near Cheltenham, 10 May, 1884; educ. Cheltenham College; went to British Columbia in 1900; returned to England in 1914, and on the outbreak of war in Aug. of that year, volunteered and joined the Royal Gloucestershire Yeomanry as a trooper, went to the Dardanelles, Aug. 1915, and was killed in action at Suvla Bay, 21 Aug. following; _unm._

=ROGERS, WILLIAM ALFRED=, Seaman, R.N.R., 5294 B., H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=ROGERSON, WILLIAM ERNEST=, Capt., 10th Battn. Durham L.I., and Adjutant 12th (Service) Battn. of the same, yr. _s._ of John Rogerson, of Croxdale Hall, Durham; _b._ Croxdale Hall, 19 Oct. 1872; educ. Aysgarth; Harrow; and Trinity Hall, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 4th Battn. (2nd Durham Militia) Durham L.I., 1893, and Capt. 5 Jan. 1898, was for six years Instructor of Musketry, afterwards retiring. On the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, he rejoined, was gazetted Capt., 10th (Service) Battn. Durham L.I., 19 Aug., and appointed Adjutant of the 12th Battn., 18 Sept. following, and died very suddenly at Bullwater Camp, Woking, 13 Nov. 1914, while on active service. He was a keen sportsman, and while at Cambridge was Master of the Trinity Foot Beagles, and hunted with the South Durham, Hurworth and Zetland hounds. The Gen., in announcing his death, stated that he had rendered most valuable service to the regt. from the date of its being formed, and his loss would be greatly felt. He _m._ 3 Nov. 1898, Violet, elder dau. of Lieut.-Gen. William Henry Mackesy, 79th Highlanders and Indian Staff Corps, and had, with another son and two daus., an elder son Richard William, _b._ 1902.

=ROLLESTON, FRANCIS LANCELOT=, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regt. (T.F.), elder _s._ of Humphry Davy Rolleston, of 55, Upper Brook Street, London, W., C.B., M.D., F.R.C.P., Temporary Surgeon-Gen. (Consultant Physician) Royal Navy, and Senior Physician, St. George’s Hospital, London, by his wife, Lisette Eila, 2nd dau. of Francis Mackenzie Ogilvy; _b._ London, 7 April, 1895; educ. Hillside, Godalming (1904–8) and Eton (1908–14), where he was in the O.T.C., and was undergoing his annual training in camp when war broke out. He immediately offered his services at the nearest recruiting office, and was given a commission in the 2nd Battn. The London Regt., 29 Aug. 1914; went to Malta in Sept. 1914; proceeded to France in Jan. 1915, and was killed in action at l’Epinette, near Armentières, 26 April following, being shot through the heart while examining the barbed wire in front of his trench at night; _unm._ Buried at Ferme Buterne, Armentières. While in the Eton O.T.C. he was three times in the winning section, the last time as commander, and had been singled out for special commendation by the Gen. at the 1914 Inspection. He obtained his House Colours in 1913; won the Novice Pulling in 1912, with Armstrong (also killed in action), and the Junior Pulling again with Armstrong in 1914. He was also second in Junior sculling and rowed in House Fours.

=ROLSTONE, JAMES HENRY=, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5918), 187177, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=ROLT, JOHN=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 11016, H.M.S Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=ROMANS, ALFRED=, Private, No. 1390, 8th Battn. Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of William Romans, of 7, Farnell Road, Staines, Stoker, by his wife, Isabella, dau. of Charles Lamb; _b._ Staines, co. Middlesex, 28 Sept. 1897; educ. Kingston Road Central Schools there; was a Lino Worker; joined the Middlesex Territorials when only 15, in 1912, and on the outbreak of war immediately volunteered for foreign service; went with his regt. to Gibraltar, 10 Sept. 1914, and returned to England, 12 Feb. 1915, crossed to France, 8 March, and was killed in action during the repulse of a German attack on the trenches occupied by the 8th Middlesex at Zonnebeke, Sunday, 25 April, 1915.

=RONALD, JAMES McBAIN=, Capt., 2nd Battn. (The Buffs) East Kent Regt., 6th _s._ of the late Robert Bruce Ronald, of Pembury Grange, Tunbridge Wells, by his wife, Fanny, dau. of (--) Fowler; _b._ 26 April, 1876; educ. Harrow, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., East Kent Regt., 5 Sept. 1896; promoted Lieut., 9 April, 1899, and Capt. 1 July, 1900; was Adjutant of Volunteers, 6 April, 1904, to 31 Dec. 1907; served in the South African War, 1899–1902; took part in the advance on, and relief of, Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, Feb.-May, 1900, including actions at Paardeberg (17–26 Feb.); Poplar Grove, and Dreifontein (slightly wounded), and afterwards served as Railway Staff Officer; took part in the operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July-29 Nov. 1900, and those in the Transvaal, 30 Nov. 1900–31 May, 1902 (again slightly wounded in Oct. 1901; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 Sept. 1901]; Queens medal with four clasps and King’s medal with two clasps). He retired in 1912, but on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, resumed service as a Railway Transport Officer, and rejoined his old regt. in the following March; went to France, and was killed in action near St. Julien during the second Battle of Ypres, 23 April, 1915. Buried there. Capt. Ronald _m._ at Bagenalstown, 7 Oct. 1903, Evelyn Mary (Bifron’s Cottage, near Canterbury), dau. of S. Crosthwaite, of Bagenalstown, co. Carlow, and had a dau., Patience Mary, _b._ 3 Nov. 1908.

=RONALD, KENNETH McGEORGE=, Trooper, No. 452, 6th Light Horse, 2nd Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, 2nd _s._ of Robert Wilson Ronald, of Nap Nap, New South Wales, Grazier, by his wife, Veronica, dau. of the late Thomas McGeorge, grandson of Robert Bruce Ronald, of London and Melbourne, and great-grandson of Robert Wilson Ronald, of Liverpool; _b._ in Hay, New South Wales, 9 Oct. 1895; educ. Church of England Grammar School, Geelong (July, 1905–Dec. 1913); volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war, and enlisted in 6th Light Horse; went to the Dardanelles and was killed in action at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, 12 July, 1915. Buried in Shell Green burial ground on slope of Island of Samothrace; _unm._ Lieut. G. A. Ferguson wrote: “He was one of the 12 attd. to my troop on that day, to do a certain piece of work, and how well they did it, and how brave they were. I can assure you it was very hot work. On and on they came in the face of a murderous fire, but not one of them flinched. I am very proud of the men who were with me that day. I had been in close touch with your son Kenneth ever since he joined the regt., and always found him to be one of the keenest of soldiers, and the most gentlemanly boy it has ever been my pleasure to meet. He was loved by all his comrades. I feel extremely sorry for his brother, who was wounded a few days before, they were such great mates. Kenneth was one of the bravest and the strongest constitutional man I ever seen. He was wounded with shrapnel, and although fearfully wounded, was fully conscious right to the last”; and the Rev. T. G. Robertson, Chaplain, Australian Imperial Force, 6th Light Horse: “On 12 July, our Southern forces were engaged in a big attack, and our work here was to harass the Turks, and so cause reinforcements to be sent to them, instead of to Cape Helles. In this a small troop of the 6th Light Horse played a very gallant part--Mr. Ferguson, the officer in charge, being mentioned in Despatches. They went out from our trenches towards the enemy, and stormed an enemy hill very gamely, but unfortunately we lost four good men and many wounded. They had to face rifle fire, machine-guns and shrapnel. They did their work however, and were successful in their object, and that meant saving many lives probably among our Southern forces. So that your son liberally gave his life for others. I understand that he was hit behind the ear by a shrapnel pellet.” And a comrade wrote of him: “On the 12th, Kenneth Ronald was in a small covering party to draw the Turks fire. Ken had the bad luck to be in the thickest of the fire, and was hit by shrapnel. He was carried away to safety almost immediately, but did not live long. He was very highly thought of by all his comrades. I marked his grave, as to make sure for a headstone, but to-day I find his good friends have already fixed up a temporary cross. When all is arranged properly I will take a photo of Ken’s grave for Mrs. Ronald; if I get through myself, she shall have it. It is terribly sad for Bob Ronald, who is away wounded. He and Ken were always together, they were almost inseparable.” At his school he was a Prefect; Senior Member of the Upper Sixth, and Captain of the Boats. He won the School Cup for Sports in 1913, and rowed two years running in the School eights in the Public Schools (of Victoria) Eight Oar race. He was also a good football player.

=ROOME, PHILIP WILLIAM=, Fleet Paymaster, R.N., 3rd _s._ of Henry Roome, of 114, Breakspear Road, Brockley, late of the Admiralty, by his wife, Phoebe, dau. of the late George Wade, of Deptford; _b._ Brockley, 28 June, 1872; educ. Mercers School, London, and Whitgift School, Croydon; entered the Navy as an Assistant Clerk, Jan. 1889; and was promoted Paymaster, Jan. 1903, Staff Paymaster, Jan. 1907, and Fleet Paymaster, Jan. 1911; served in China, 1899–1901, and 1903–05 (medal); was appointed to H.M.S. Aboukir, July, 1914, and was lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914. He _m._ at St. Margaret’s, Lee, 22 Dec. 1902, Maud Hunter (2, Dacre Park, Lee, S.E.), dau. of the late James Davisson, Civil Servant, and had issue, four children: Philip Pearse, _b._ 30 Sept. 1904; Richard William, _b._ 12 Nov. 1905; Phoebe Isabella Maud, _b._ 4 May, 1908; and Phyllis Mary, _b._ 21 Feb. 1911.

=ROOTH, RICHARD ALEXANDER=, Lieut.-Col. Commanding 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd _s._ of the late John Wilcoxon Rooth, of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law, by his wife, Elizabeth Crudy (Gordon House, Hythe Road, Brighton), dau. of Henry Smith, of Bristol, Solicitor; _b._ London, 22 March, 1866; educ. Highgate School; France, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted Lieut., Dublin Fusiliers, 29 Aug. 1885, and promoted Capt. 7 June, 1894; Major, 7 June, 1896, and Lieut.-Col. 7 June, 1914; joined the 2nd Battn. in Egypt in Aug. 1885, and later went to Quetta, and Poona; was Adjutant of his Battn. from 16 Dec. 1893, to 30 March, 1897, and of the Poona Volunteers, 1 April, 1897, to 31 March, 1902; took part in the operations in the Aden Hinterland, 1903, and then returned to Ireland; was in command of the Depot at Naas, for some years, he was then stationed at Gravesend till June, 1914, when he was appointed to the command of the 1st Battn. then in Madras; was at Fort George when that town was attacked by the Emden; returned with his regt. to England in Dec. 1914; left for the Dardanelles in March, and was killed in action at Sedd-ul-Bahr, during the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915. He was killed instantly as he was stepping on the beach. He _m._ at Dawlish, Amy, dau. of Francis Cann, of Dawlish, M.D., and had two children: Richard, _b._ 7 June, 1900; and Nancy, _b._ 23 May, 1908.

=ROPER, WILLIAM ALBERT=, Private, No. 11784, 2nd Battn. Coldstream Guards, 3rd _s._ of Albert Edward Roper, of West Charleton, near Kingsbridge, co. Devon, Labourer, by his wife, Caroline Jane, dau. of Thomas Ellis; _b._ Malborough, co. Devon, 13 April, 1893; educ. West Charleton Village School; was intending to join the Police Force when war was declared, and enlisted in the Coldstreams, 5 Sept. 1914; went to France, 22 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action at Givenchy, 18 March, 1915, being shot by a sniper while digging a small trench from the main one; _unm._ Buried in the Cemetery there.

=ROSE, BENJAMIN JOSEPH=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2058), 192157, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=ROSE, CHARLES EDWARD=, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 1351), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=ROSE, CLEMENT=, Private, No. 15734, 8th (Service) Battn. The Yorkshire Regt., 3rd _s._ of John George Rose, of 19, Hamilton Street, Monkwearmouth, co. Durham, Mastmaker, by his wife, Mary, dau. of Thomas (and Jane Anna) Browell, of Monkwearmouth; _b._ Monkwearmouth, 30 April, 1897; educ. National School there; enlisted in the East Yorkshires, 14 Oct. 1914. but was claimed by a brother serving with the Yorkshires for that regt. and was accordingly transferred. He was killed in action in France, 13 Oct. 1915.

=ROSE, GEOFFREY CRAIG=, 2nd Lieut., 3rd Battn. Seaforth Highlanders, attd. 1st Battn. Gordon Highlanders, elder _s._ of Charles Edward Rose, of Townshend House, Regent’s Park, N.W., Author and Dramatist, now Hon. Supt. of St. Dunstan’s, Regent’s Park, by his wife, Mary Greer, dau. of James Connell, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire; _b._ Hampstead, 2 Nov. 1896; educ. Ovingdean Hall, Brighton (Rev. D. H. Marshall), and Aldenham School, co. Herts (E. Beevor’s House); was given a commission in the 3rd Seaforth Highlanders, from the O.T.C., 14 Aug. 1914; went to France in Nov., attd. to the 1st Gordons, and died in London, 13 Feb. 1915, from wounds received in action near Wytschaete on 14 Dec., while gallantly leading his men into action. He was distinguished at school for his exceptional promise as a writer and debater (he had an article accepted by a magazine at the age of 16).

=ROSE, HERBERT JOHN=, T.D., Capt., 1/8th (Ardwick) Battn. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of John Henry Roberts Rose, formerly of the Red House, Yoxford, Suffolk, and late of 21, Victoria Road, Withington, Manchester, Engineer, by his wife, Emma, dau. of John Fletcher, of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; _b._ Beckenham, co. Kent, 18 May, 1866; educ. Wrexham and Manchester Grammar Schools; was for many years in business with the Calico Printers Association, Manchester, but early in 1914, became a partner in the firm of Etchells Cougdon & Muir, Engineers, Ancoats, Manchester. He had joined the 6th Lancashire (2nd Manchester) Volunteers in Nov. 1884, and received a commission in the old 5th Volunteer (now the 8th Territorial) Battn. of the Manchester Regt., Nov. 1904. He was gazetted Capt. 15 June, 1906, after passing the School of Instruction for field service, and on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, volunteered with his regt. for foreign service. He left England, 10 Sept. 1914, and proceeded to Egypt where they landed, 27 Sept. 1914. Three weeks later the Battn. were sent to Cyprus, landing 20 Oct. They were the only troops on the Island, and Capt. Rose was in command of the detachment at the annexation ceremony at Limasol on 7 Nov. 1914. On 18 Jan. 1915, they left Cyprus for Cairo, where they stayed until they embarked for Gallipoli on 2 May, landed at the Dardanelles, 4 May, and was killed in action at Achi Baba, Gallipoli, 4 June, 1915. A brother officer wrote: “Rose did splendidly well, behaving (I saw him) with the utmost gallantry. When I left about one hour before he was killed, he was alive and well, and doing jolly well in exceedingly difficult and dangerous circumstances. He was always at it, comforting the badly wounded, conducting the midnight burials, and so on, and many fellows had cause to thank him for numerous such services performed, all at the sacrifice of the little time available for rest. These things were done quietly and without advertisement, but I saw them and think it right they should be recorded. On the day of the big fight he did splendidly, taking risks in his efforts of cheering and encouraging his men. He died a gallant gentleman”; and another: “Rose was perfectly splendid over here.... He was an absolute hero.” He was mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s Despatch of 22 Sept. 1915 [London Gazette, 5 Nov. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Capt. Rose received the Long Service medal in Nov. 1904. and the Territorial Decoration in May, 1915; was a good marksman, a Bisley shot and won the old Mancunians gold cup. He took a great interest in the work of the Church Lads Brigade, and was for some time Adjutant of the 6th Manchester Church Lads Brigade. He _m._ at Croydon, Surrey, 2 Aug. 1899, Caroline Emily (Tregenna, Cheadle, Cheshire), dau. of the Rev. Thomas Theodore Waterman, Secretary of the Christian Evidence Society, and had two daus.: Marian, _b._ 24 July, 1900; and Margaret Louisa, _b._ 29 Oct. 1905.

=ROSE, JOHN=, Seaman, R.N.R., 1973D, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=ROSE, LAUNCELOT ST. VINCENT=, Major, 55th Field Coy., Royal Engineers, 2nd _s._ of Frederick William Rose, of Tarlogie, co. Ross, by his wife, Katherine Ross, dau. of Daniel Gilchrist, of Ospisdale, and grandson of Major Hugh Monro St. Vincent Rose, 12th Lancers; _b._ London, S.W., 4 Aug. 1875; educ. St. Paul’s (Scholar) and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Engineers, 15 March, 1895, and promoted Lieut. 15 March, 1898, Capt. 1 April, 1904, and Major 30 Oct. 1914; served in Gibraltar; in Ireland doing Ordnance Survey Work; went to South Africa in 1910; returned to England with the 7th Division after the outbreak of war, 19 Sept. 1914; went direct to Lyndhurst Camp to get his 55th Field Coy. equipped; left with it for France, 5 Oct. following; took part in the First Battle of Ypres, and was killed in action near Sailly-sur-La-Lys, Rue de Bethune, 28 Nov. 1914. Buried there. A brother officer wrote: “Very keen regret at his death is felt through the Division, as he was liked by all who knew him, whilst the men of the company feel that they have lost a friend, as well as an officer. He died attempting a very brave act”; and the following is an extract from the 20th Brigade War Diary: “29 Nov. 1914, Major Rose, commanding the 55th Field Coy., Royal Engineers, which has been attached to the Brigade during the war, was killed last night putting up the wire outside the trenches--a great loss. Neither he nor his company have spared themselves in helping us with our trenches and wire entanglements the whole time. He was a man full of resource and courage.” A commanding officer wrote: “He was a fine officer and a great loss to us all. We were all so fond of him, always cheery and hard-working, he met a soldier’s death in work of great risk and had done already his full share of fighting for his country and for freedom.” Another extract: “Such a plucky chap, and just the sort we want. He need not have joined in the attack in the wood as he was cutting stakes for barbed wire, and the Brigade came along for an attack, passed his company, so he ordered them to charge with the Brigade and fixed bayonets: it is called the R.E. Charge.” He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. At St. Paul’s he was in the rowing four for two years, and for some time Capt. of the four; was in the gymnasium eight at Woolwich Academy in 1894; represented Woolwich in their running team, winning many prizes; his best record being the half mile in 2 minutes, 6 seconds, in a grass track. He represented the officers at Rugby and rowed for two seasons, giving many fine exhibitions in the R.E. four. While in Gibraltar he gained a name for himself as a polo player, and played in the Garrison’s team. He ran ponies in several races, winning, amongst others, the well-known Steeplechase for the Subalterns Cup, riding his pony himself in that race. He also won many prizes in the Gymkhana Races, and in one cracked his skull and was unconscious for a fortnight. He started a boxing club for the N.C.O. and sappers, which was in flourishing condition. In Ireland he won many prizes for his flowers, being a great gardener, and in South Africa went in for big game shooting, polo, playing, etc. He _m._ at St. John’s Church, Chelsea, 18 Dec. 1909, Jonkvrouwe Agneta Wendela Elizabeth (The Chestnuts, Hartford Bridge, Winchfield, co. Hants), dau. of Jonkheer Dr. Wilhem van Citters, of Zeeland, Holland, Consul-General for the Netherlands in Berne, and had a dau.: Noreen Leonie Ross, _b._ 16 Oct. 1913. His brother, Capt. Walrond Rose, of the Cameronians, was killed in action, 22 Oct. 1914.

=ROSE, OWEN WILLIAM=, Private. No. 1795, 8th Battn. The Middlesex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of George Thomas Rose, Private, No. 12775, 6th (Service) Battn. Bedfordshire Regt., by his wife, Mary (4, Du Burstow Terrace, Hanwell), dau. of George Mills, of Uxbridge, Middlesex; _b._ West Ealing, London, W., 6 Oct. 1896; educ. St. Mark’s Council School, Hanwell; and was employed as a roundsman at Sainsbury’s when war broke out. He had joined the Middlesex Territorials about 1912, and volunteered for foreign service; mobilized at Sittingbourne and went with his regiment to Gibraltar and while there shot a German prisoner who was trying to escape from a detention camp. The matter was the subject of an official enquiry and it was held that Rose had done no more than his duty. He afterwards accompanied the Battn. to France, and was killed in action at Zonnebeke, 30 April, 1915; _unm._