James Boothby Burke Roche (1851-1920)

He was born at Trabolgan, Co. Cork. On graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge, he was, "a revolutionist in South America, a gold miner in Alaska, an explorer in Patagonia, and a blockade runner during the Russo-Japanese war". He tried cattle ranching in Wyoming with his old university friend, Morton Frewen (1853-1924), but that failed and instead they set their sights on finding themselves rich heiresses to marry. Jim was married in 1880 (against the wishes of his wealthy father-in-law) but his wife returned to New York just six years later after the bailiffs had stripped the contents of their house, 71 Pont Street, London. She had quickly realized that her husband was a compulsive gambler and womanizer, but somehow he still managed to later win a seat as the Member of Parliament for East Kerry. His elder brother predeceased him and for the few months before he died he enjoyed being the 3rd Baron Fremoy, and then the title went to his eldest son, Maurice, who was the maternal grandfather of Princess Diana. In the year of his death, he gave his address as 60 St. James' St., London.