Part 5/9:
An Eccentric and Resilient Collector
Walter Roche’s life was anything but ordinary. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, he battled speech difficulties and was known for his shy demeanor, yet he commanded respect through his imposing personality and dedication. An introvert by nature, he often found solace among his specimens—collecting, studying, and training animals. Notably, he trained wild donkeys to pull his cart and famously drove one to Buckingham Palace to demonstrate their taming skills. His family’s wealth did not come easily—his banking empire was vast but not enough to sustain his scientific pursuits, and he often faced financial hardships, even being forced to sell parts of his prized collection.