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Pictures courtesy of Aubrey's

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (5180 Cpl. E. J. Jones, Middlesex Regt.);
KSA (2) (5180 Serjt. E. Jones, Middlesex Regt.).

QSA naming



KSA naming



Sold for a hammer price of GBP 160. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 218. R4,800. Au$420. Can$390. US$280.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

SAGS (1) 1879 (Lieut: G. R. Rushbrooke. R.E. Mid: Mil:);
QSA (1) Cape Colony (Lt. Col. G. R. Rushbrooke. Middx Rgt.) engraved naming;
KSA (2) (Lt. Col. G. R. Rushbrooke. Middx. Rgt.) engraved naming, mounted from a contemporary wearing bar

Gerard Robert Rushbrooke was born in the Parish of St. Mary, Bury St. Edmunds, in 1859, the fifth child of William H. Rushbrooke, Mayor of Bury St. Edmunds and Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Appointed Second Lieutenant in the Royal East Middlesex Militia on 30 July 1877, he was advanced Lieutenant 24 July 1878 and served in South Africa during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Returned home per the steamship Warwick Castle, the passenger list adds: ‘Lieut. Rushbrooke, attached to 24th Regt.’

Appointed Captain on 30 April 1881 and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel on 28 April 1899, Rushbrooke went with the 6th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment to South Africa in February 1900 as second in command under Colonel George Helme; disembarking at Cape Town 16 March 1900, the 25 officers and 512 other ranks of the 6th Middlesex were immediately sent to Piquetberg Road to prevent the North Western Rebellion from spreading south into Cape Colony. When the crisis was over, the battalion moved to Green Point, Cape Town, on 29 May 1900 to guard the Boer prisoners of war being held there. Later, detachments were sent to Karoo Point, Gydo Pass, Wellington, Porterville, Waterfall and Brede River bridges to guard lines of communication and sites of strategic importance. It was at about this time that Rushbrooke was listed in the Morning Leader on 15 November 1900, having been ‘discharged to duty from hospital.’

Returned to barracks at Mill Hill, Rushbrooke took his retirement in August 1908. He died a short time later on 29 March 1911 at Cosford House, Surrey, and was buried with military honours at Thursley, his funeral being attended by Viscount and Vicountess Colville and led by pallbearers of the 6th Middlesex Regiment.