Henry Lewis Rocca Born Hamburg, Germany 1831 and came to England in 1851. Settled in Manchester and in 1857 became a naturalised British subject. Later principal of a firm of merchants and shippers. Joined the Ardwick Corps in the summer of 1866 and, although offered a commission, insisted on drilling in the ranks until he became proficient. Promoted Lieutenant 19 November 1866, Captain 3 November 1869, Major on 10 January 1877 and Lieutenant-Colonel on 10 January 1885. He was one of the first recipients of the Volunteer Officers’ decoration instituted by Royal Warrant in July 1892. He died 27 December 1916 and is buried in Stretford Cemetery.
His son Frederick Lewis Rocca married Elsie Mary, and lived at “Holmfield”, Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester. On the formation of the Pals Battalions in September 1914 he enlisted in the 20th (S) Battalion (5th City Bn.) The Manchester Regiment and became 18021 and Sergeant in 15 Platoon of ‘D’ Company. He died10th July 1916 aged 23, in a military hospital in Rouen, France from wounds received on 1st July after the Battalion’s attack in front of Fricourt.
He is buried in grave A.28.23 in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen and is commemorated on the War Memorial in the grounds of St. Anne’s Church, Sale and also on his parent’s headstone in Stretford Cemetery.
Colonel Rocca was an outstanding commanding officer and was responsible for the initial financing and then the building of Ardwick Barracks.
