Tiger Roche , 1729- Irish Soldier and ' Rogue ' was a celebrated Soldier
Duelist and adventurer. variously hailed a hero and damned as a thief and a murderer at many times during his stormy life. He has sometimes been referred to as the true ' Barry Lyndon ' from which William Makepeace Thackeray based his book Barry Lyndon published in 1844.
Tiger Roche was born either the first or second of three sons, to Jordan Roche and Ellen White in Dublin, Ireland in 1729. His younger brother
Duelist and adventurer. variously hailed a hero and damned as a thief and a murderer at many times during his stormy life. He has sometimes been referred to as the true ' Barry Lyndon ' from which William Makepeace Thackeray based his book Barry Lyndon published in 1844.
Tiger Roche was born either the first or second of three sons, to Jordan Roche and Ellen White in Dublin, Ireland in 1729. His younger brother
was Sir Boyle Roche, the eminent politician. Roche received the best education Dublin could provide, and was instructed in all the accomplishments then deemed essential to the rank and character of a gentleman. So expert was he in the various acquirements of polite life, that at the age of 16 he recommended himself to Lord Chesterfield, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who offered, gratuitously, a commission in the army. However, Roche had fallen in with a disreputable crowd who convinced him to refuse Chesterfield's offer. Further, Roche was present ( and probably directly involved) when his associates attacked and killed a watchman. Compelled to leave Dublin, Roche made his way to Cork, and from there to North America. At the outbreak of the French and Indian War, Roche entered as a volunteer in one of the provisional regiments and distinguished himself in skirmishes against the Indians. Roche displayed intrepidity and spirit in his military doings and was expected to rise to a high rank until an unfortunate event destroyed his career. An officer of Roche's regiment missed a valuable gun, which was later found in Roche's possession. Roche declared that he had bought the gun from a corporal of the regiment called Bourke. Bourke declared on oath that Roche's statement was false, and Roche was brought to court-martial. Roche was convicted of the theft and ordered to quit the service with " every mark of disgrace and ignominy ".
Roche subsequently challenged and attacked a number of people involved in the incident, including Corporal Bourke. During the fight with Bourke, Roche sank his teeth into Bourke's throat and was pulled away dragging a mouthful of flesh ( which he afterwards said was " the sweetest morsel he had ever tasted " ). It was from this fight that he gained the nickname ' Tiger '. After this incident Roche fought as a volunteer in other Battles, possibly including Ticonderoga. Though he fought well, Roche was not able to escape the stain of the theft. He made his way to New York and eventually in 1758, received some money from his friends in Ireland and was able to obtain passage on a vessel bound for England. Roche reserved part of his supply of money for the purchase of a regimental commission. Unfortunately, just as the purchase was about to be completed, a report of his theft in America reached the regiment and the officers refused to serve with him.
Roche subsequently challenged and attacked a number of people involved in the incident, including Corporal Bourke. During the fight with Bourke, Roche sank his teeth into Bourke's throat and was pulled away dragging a mouthful of flesh ( which he afterwards said was " the sweetest morsel he had ever tasted " ). It was from this fight that he gained the nickname ' Tiger '. After this incident Roche fought as a volunteer in other Battles, possibly including Ticonderoga. Though he fought well, Roche was not able to escape the stain of the theft. He made his way to New York and eventually in 1758, received some money from his friends in Ireland and was able to obtain passage on a vessel bound for England. Roche reserved part of his supply of money for the purchase of a regimental commission. Unfortunately, just as the purchase was about to be completed, a report of his theft in America reached the regiment and the officers refused to serve with him.
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The British Fort at Ticonderoga
Roche traced the origin of the report to a Captain Campbell, whom he met and challenged to a duel. Both men were desperately wounded. On other occassions Roche challenged or attacked others connected with the incident, and generally anyone who spread the story. Roche's attacks though fierce, were not usually successful and he was wounded on several occassions. Ultimately, redress to his character came accidently and unexpectedly. Corporal Bourke was mortally wounded by a scalping party of Indians, and on his death bed made a solemn confession that he himself had actually stolen the gun, and sold it to Roche, and that Roche had purchased it without any suspicion of the theft. This declaration of the dying man was properly attested and universally accepted, and instantly restored Roche's character.
In compensation for the injustice and injury he had suffered, Roche was awarded a lieutenancy in a newly raised regiment. He returned to Dublin ( where the old murder charge had been quietly dropped ) a much celebrated hero.
Dublin was at this time infested with criminals known as 'sweaters' or ' pinkindindies' ( who cut off the points of their swords because they would rather " inflict considerable pain " than kill ) One evening Roche happened to single handedly rescue an old gentleman with his son ansd daughter from a gang of several such attackers.
the story is to be continued...
In compensation for the injustice and injury he had suffered, Roche was awarded a lieutenancy in a newly raised regiment. He returned to Dublin ( where the old murder charge had been quietly dropped ) a much celebrated hero.
Dublin was at this time infested with criminals known as 'sweaters' or ' pinkindindies' ( who cut off the points of their swords because they would rather " inflict considerable pain " than kill ) One evening Roche happened to single handedly rescue an old gentleman with his son ansd daughter from a gang of several such attackers.
the story is to be continued...
