Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/25800
Age:
28
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
550 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Birth:
October 26, 1915
Cochrane, Ontario
Enlistment:
April 13, 1942
Toronto, Ontario
Death:
July 29, 1944
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
Grave 7.
Additional information
Son of Martin J. and Cecile M. Roche, of Peterborough, Ontario.
Digital gallery of Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
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Photo of Paul Martin Roche
Paul's graduation photo from Optometry School at Saint Michael's College in Toronto. -
Paul's service medals and RCAF flight log
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Newspaper Clipping
The Peterborough Examiner reporting on Paul's safe arrival in England. -
Letter (Page 1)
Paul's last letter to his family. -
Letter (Page 2)
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Letter (Page 3)
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Envelope
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Letter Page 1
This letter was from the Mayor of Blamont, France where Paul's plane crashed on July 29th, 1944. He and his crew are buried there in the communal cemetery. The letter was sent to the airman's mother, Cecile Roche, and explains how the plane leveled out at the last moment and crashed into a field saving the town. -
Letter (Page 2)
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Letter (Page 3)
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Letter (Page 4)
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Honour Roll
Paul's name on page 430 from "The Book of Remembrance" -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Photo of PAUL MARTIN ROCHE
Paul's portrait was one of twenty chosen for an exhibit at Vimy Ridge entitled "Faces of Freedom" running May-November, 2019. -
Ceremony
Paul’s medals placed on his tombstone during a VE ceremony in Blâmont on May 10th, 2019, united 75 years later. Lest we forget -
Ceremony
Ceremony in Blâmont for the 75th anniversary of the plane crash and saving of the town on May 10th, 2019. -
Photo of PAUL MARTIN ROCHE
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Photo of PAUL MARTIN ROCHE
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Photo of PAUL MARTIN ROCHE
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Service Book
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Correspondence
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Correspondence
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Photo of Paul Martin Roche
My much loved Great Uncle, Paul M Roche, Lancaster Bomber Pilot, RCAF. He "never flew in any other state but the state of grace." -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star May 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newman Centre Memorial
This framed scroll hangs in the St. John Henry Newman Catholic Church (formerly St. Thomas Aquinas Church) located on the University of Toronto campus. The pre-printed template was designed by A.J. Casson. “For King and Country Members of Newman Club of the University of Toronto Who Have Volunteered for Active Service with Canada’s Fighting Forces”. The roll of service shows a total of 289 names written in calligraphy. The document is not dated and contains no key, but it is known after the fact that at least nine of the individuals listed therein lost their lives in the Second World War (at least 6 in the Canadian and 3 in the American forces).
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Paul Martin Roche
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 430 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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BLAMONT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
Blamont is a village and commune 50 kilometres east-south-east of Nancy and on the N. 4 road from Nancy to Sarrebourg. The communal cemetery is south of the village, on the road to the neighbouring village of Barbas. West of the main path, near the middle of the southern boundary are the graves of 7 airmen, 5 of whom belonged to the Royal Air Force and two to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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