John Roche was the only son of Philip Roche of County Kildare, Ireland. His sisters were Anna Maria, wife of Thomas Oliver Plunkett, 12th Lord Louth; and Margaret Randalina, wife of Thomas Nicholas Barnewall, 16th Baron Trimleston. He reached the rank of colonel in the service of the 2nd Life Guards.

He visited Silvy’s studio on 30 October 1860 with his sister, Lady Louth, and her daughter, the Honourable Augusta Plunkett.