Private J. Murray aka Alex Roache.Roach

[Katie]

I have the following report in the Liverpool Echo dated December 4th 1916

MISSING MEN-NEWS WANTED

Private J. Murray (better known as Alex Roache), Canadian Tunnelling Company. He went to Canada five years ago and joined the Canadian Army at the outbreak of war. He came to England in the first contingent and has been serving in France since February 1915. His parents reside at 149, Westminster Road, Kirkdale.

There is a Alexander Roache recorded on a War Memorial at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Kirkdale.

If I am correct he was the sone of Alexander and Elizabeth Roach (nee McKeown)

The family are residing in 1911 at 85, Fonthill Road, Kirkdale.

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss ... ource=7814

I have searched the Canadian Service papers but I can't pick any up for him.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[MaryA]

Just so's you know you aren't ignored -

I'm wondering why his name is J Murray? and have looked under this name too.
The location of St John's Kirkdale is good for where they were living, however is the parents marriage at St John's Bootle, so a C of E church?

[Katie]

I think I have found him. He must have enlisted in the Canadian Infantry under the alias of J. Murray. When he was posted as missing and his parents were seeking information about him the had to put his alias. Anyway I thought I would open up the search and I found a death in 1964 for Alexander Roach born circa 1891, buried in Ford. A search on 1939 gave me:-

Alexander Roach b. 17th September 1890

married in 1922 to Catherine Gunning.

Be interesting to see when the War Memorial was unveiled.