My cousin, Albert Roachock was born in the 1st of Feb 1905 in Clare, South Australia. He enlisted on the 24th of Jun 1940, naming his his mother Elizabeth as next of kin. He was taken Prisoner of War.
On Satuday 21st of June 1941 the Weekly Times of Melbourne reported "Victorians Casualties ... missing Roachock, Pte. A., Albury (Inf.)".
Thusady 17th of June 1941 The Argus (Melbourne) reported: "Prisoner of War, previously reported mising... Roachock, A. Pte., Albury, Inf."
Saturday 28th June 1941 The Argus (Melbourne): "Prisoners of War: Names of 170 Victorian privates who are prisoners of war were yesterday released by the Red Cross Society who received their information by cable from International Red Cross at Geneva. All are at P.O.W. Camp Corinthia. They are: Roachock A. (29667);..."
Fri 25 May 1941 The Age (Melbourne) reported:
"A.I.F. War prisoners. 800 of 3438 sail for Australia. Names of 1958 A.I.F. prisoners of war repatriated to England from western Europe in the week ended last Saturday were released yesterday in advance of the official army casualty list. They include 674 Victorians, a list of whom is set out here under.
The Acting Minister for the Army Senator Fraser, in announcing the names from Canberra yesterday; said that between April 1 and May 19 the total number of A.I.F. prisoners to reach England from Europe was 3438, leaving only approximately 2000 still awaiting transfer from Europe. Latest reports indicated that the health and morale of the men arriving in England continued to be surprisingly good. Nearly 800 repatriates had already sailed for Australia. Other drafts would be sent as shipping became available. The A.I.F. reception group camp at Eastbourne, added the Minister, was recently visited by the Duchess of Kent and also by General Sir Ronald Adam, adjutant-general, War Office."
Fri 25 May 1945 The Argus (Melbourne) reported "A.I.F. men repatriated from Germany. In the week ended Saturday, May 19, 1,958 AIF prisoners of war recovered in Western Europe were repatriated to England, Senator Fraser Acting Army Minister, said yesterday. Between April 1 and May
19 the total number of AIF prisoners reaching England from Europe was 3,458, leaving only approximately 2,000 still awaiting transfer from Europe. The health and morale of men arriving in England continued to be surprisingly good, according to latest reports. Nearly 800 repatriates had already sailed for Australia, Senator Fraser stated, and other drafts would be sent as shipping became available. Following are the men who arrived in England during the week ending May 19. There were 673 Victorians among them. Next of kin have been notified."
The South Australian newspapers also mentioned him and members of his family. On Saturday 14th of June 1941 The Advertiser (Adelaide) reported "everything points to the German invasion of Greece (began 6 April 1941) and the German conquest of the island of Crete (ended 1 June); the 6th Australian Division had been sent to Greece.
Victoria Missing. ... Pte. A. Roachock, VX29667, Inf., Albury; ...
Mrs. Margaret Dollman. of Clifton street, Prospect, Adelaide, has received word that her husband, Sergeant Herbert Douglas Dollman, is missing. After serving at Bardia, he was wounded at Tobruk, and after being in hospital for two months, returned to his unit. He went to Greece and was last heard of at Crete. He is a son of Colonel Walter Dollman. Sergeant Dollman left Australia on January 9 last year."
Sat 28th of June 1941 The Advertiser Melbourne. "June 27. The names of 170 Victorian privates who are prisoners of war are released by the Red Cross Society, who received their information by cable from the International Red Cross at Geneva. All are at Camp Corinthia: A. Roachock, 29,667"
Fri 28 May 1941 The Southern Cross (Adelaide) "this weekly was the Organ of the Catholic Church in South Australia; so clearly it was well-known that the Victorian Albert Ignatius Roachock was in fact a South Australian from Karoonda"
Catholic Patriotic Activities. Catholic Soldiers' Guild. "All enquiries as to missing men, or messages to those already located, should be made personally or by letter to the Catholic Soldiers' Guild, Todd Building, Victoria Square, Adelaide, or Box 36A, G.P.O., Adelaide. The service is free to all denominations. Previously Missing, Now Confirmed as Prisoner of War. Dvr. E. B. H. Briggs (A.I.F.), Melrose; Pte. F. P. Colgan (A.I.F.), Pennington; Pte. G. M. Daly, Spalding; Pte. A. I. Roachock (A.I.F.), Karoonda.
The Executive and members of the Guild extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved relatives of those gallant men who have made the supreme sacrifice.
Mass is offered on the first Sunday of each month in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral for the repose of the souls of deceased comrades. Mass is also celebrated every week for the spiritual and temporal welfare of all Australians who are in the Navy, Army, or Air Force."
Private Casualty Advices. "Mrs. P. L. Roachock, of Borrika, has received a cable stating that Pte. A. Roachock, of Karoonda, who was a prisoner of war for four and a half years in Germany, is at the AIF reception camp, Eastbourne, England."
Fri 1 Jun 1945 The Southern Cross: "The following previously reported prisoners of war are now reported to be safe and well in England: Capt. D. S. Hogarth (A.I.F.), Walkerville; W.O. [Warrant Officer] A. J. Condon (R.A.A.F.), Prospect; Pte. L. Kostera (A.I.F.), Balaklava; Pte. A. Roachock (A.I.F.), Karoonda; Pte. B. P. Sheedy (A.I.F.), Peterhead."
Karoonda, 6th August " ...Gnr. N. Hancock (who has been a prisoner of war in Germany) and his wife are spending a few days with his sister, Mrs. C. C. Gellert. Pte. Alby Roachock, who has just been repatriated from a POW camp in Germany, visited his father over the week-end."
Albert was discharged on the 16th of Nov 1945. His brother Thomas had been killed in Belgium in 1917 and his cousin Carl Albert Bahnisch was killed at Tobruk on 18th of April 1941.
