Zulu War veteran returns home.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Quite an unusual sight in Luton is that of a Chelsea pensioner, but our photographer obtained the accompanying snapshot on Thursday. The old warrior had come to Luton from Chelsea, and he was snapped whilst giving a bit of advice to one of the local military police (L-Cpl W. Hill).
The pensioner, wearing the familiar red uniform and peaked cap, created a great amount of interest in the town, and it will be acceptable to give a few particulars about him.
He is Sapper William Seaman Rushbrook, of the Royal Engineers, and his home is at 36 Cobden Street, Luton. In 1874 he enlisted at Bury St Edmunds, his native town, and he qualified at Woolwich as a carriage smith, when the field companies first came into being.
Sapper Rushbrook went through the Zulu campaign [1879], and came through with just a scratch, and he wears his ribbon for his active service in that year. Afterwards his regiment was quartered at St Helena, and he came back to England in 1883.
He is a well known man in Luton for he worked for Messrs Balmforth for 11 years, and for the late Mr H. Keston, the Gas Company and other firms. He came to Luton 25 years ago and has been married three times.
He came home on Wednesday evening, after having been at Chelsea for 14 months suffering from neuritis, but we are pleased to say he is now hale and hearty, and a more genial man could not be met. It was quite touching to see him stand to attention and give the salute as officers passed by him on Thursday.He had a clean sheet on leaving the Army, and loves to speak to 'Tommies' he meets as brothers-in-arms, and this is an indication of his splendid enthusiasm.
He has been trying to find employment in the town in one of the local engineering firms, for which he is a good mechanic. We wish him success in his endeavour.
[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph, July 3rd, 1915]
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