HOPEDALE, Feb 8 [1945] - Pfc. Francis D. DeRoche, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Augustine J. DeRoche, 7 Maple Street, was killed in action in France Jan. 24 and his family was notified yesterday afternoon in a telegram from the War Department. He was inducted Sept. 7, 1942, and went overseas the following April.
Pvt. DeRoche had two brothers in the service, S-Sgt. Frederick in France, and Pvt. Joseph DeRoche, enroute for overseas. He was wounded in action, Oct. 7, last, and hospitalized in France until about the first of this year, when he returned to the front. A letter dated Jan. 19 was received from him just two hours previous to the telegram in which he wrote that he was in a rest camp.
He attended St. Mary's High School, was popular with everyone and took part in the school dramatics. In addition to his parents and the two brothers in the army, survivors are four sisters, Mrs. James Richardson of Medford, [The rest of the article is missing.] Milford Daily News
The following is part of an article written by the Milford Daily News at the time of the dedication of the War Veterans' Memorial at the Hopedale Village Cemetery.
The first interview was with Gertrude (DeRoche) Santucci of Milford. Her brother, Francis D. DeRoche gave his young life for his country in World War II.
Francis, a Private First Class in the U.S. Army, was the son of the late Augustine "Gus" and Leonie DeRoche. One of his parents went to Boston to see him off when he left for military service. That was the last time the young man's family saw him.
The DeRoche family lived at 7 Maple Street in Hopedale at the time. PFC DeRoche was killed in combat in Epinol, France on Jan. 24, 1945.
How did his family learn of his death? A Begian Taxi Cab pulled up in front of the DeRoche home. The driver handed a telegram to the person answering the door. Mrs. DeRoche, seated in a chair at the time, read the announcement of her son's death.
Mrs. Santucci recalls that her mother's life stopped for two days at that moment. Mrs. DeRoche never left that chair nor changed her position for two days. Mr. DeRoche suffered a stroke soon afterwards, which ultimately took his life.
Sometime after the receipt of the telegram, the family received a cardboard box containing Francis' personal belongings. They learned later that Francis is buried in Epinol, France in the town's cemetery.
Francis' only surviving brother, Joseph DeRoche and his wife will be present for the dedication on NOv. 11 as will Francis' three sisters, Agatha Connor and Gertrude Santucci, both of Milford and Margaret Canali of Framingham. Milford Daily News, November 9, 1994.
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