Army Biographies
This page gives biographical information on those who
served in the British Army. The First World War.
16481 Private Alfred George Rushent, Ox. and Bucks. Light Infantry.
Enlisted at Oxford 23 November 1914. After service in England sailed for Mesopotamia on 16 February 1916. Sailed for India 13 January 1917 where he served probably at Bangalore, returning home on 31 December 1919. Discharged on 6 March 1920, was awarded a pension of 5s 6d. Moved to North Wales 25 September 1920.
13273 Private Charles Rushen, Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 8th Battalion.
Born in East Ham. Enlisted at Stratford. Died of wounds in France, 1 June 1916. Buried at NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY.
V290501 & VX135045 Herbert William Rushen Australian Army.
Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, enlisted on the 22 January 1942 at Oakleigh, Victoria.Promoted to Acting Corporal on the 12 July 1942 and transferred to No. 51 Special Wireless Section at Darwin, NT. 4 December 1942 admitted to hospital with sandfly bites.
79229 Private Edward Rushen, Devon Regiment. (1902 - 1920)
Born in Camden Town, Middlesex, enlisted at Bristol as No. 23212 Private Edward Rushen into the Royal Field
Artillery and posted to Depot, 23 April 1902. Posted to 137 Battery on 3 July 1902 with promotion to Acting Bombardier on the 3 October 1902.
He reverted to gunner at his own request and then extended his service to complete eight years with the Colours, transferring to the Army Reserve
in 1910.Whilst in the Reserve married Mary Jane Brown at Moordown, Southampton on the 25th June 1910. Re-enlisted as No. 150366 into the Royal Field Artillery on 6 June 1916, joining No. 3 Depot on the 29 July 1916. Over the next two years
various postings are noted including overseas service in France twice. Finally transferring to the Devonshire Regiments 15th Battalion on 6 July 1918.
Demobilization came on the 4 March 1919
with final discharge on 31 March 1920. 393911 Lance Corporal Reginald John Rushen, London Regiment, 9th (County of London) Battalion,(Queen Victoria's Rifles).
Formerly 4601 of the 8th Middlesex Regiment. 39018 Private Walter William Rushen, Princess Charlotte of Wales (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 5th Battalion.
Born 1895 in Heybridge the son of William Rushen and Ellen Johnson. Enlisted at Chelmsford. 22620 Private William Rushen, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 32 Battalion.
Born 1891 in Upton Park. Enlisted at East Ham. 9006 Private William Rushen, 2nd Bn., Dorsetshire Regiment.
He joined the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment on 5 December 1910 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion on the 11 December 1912.
William saw service in India from that date until 5 November 1914. The 2nd. Battalion of six hundred men was soon sent to Mesopotamia to protect
British interests. For twelve months from 6 December 1914 the Battalion was engaged in a number of battles along the river Tigris. In December 1915 they found
themselves defending the town of Kut-al-Amara. They were surrounded on three sides by the Tigris, with no bridge, and cut off on the fourth by the Turkish Forces.
They remained under siege for one hundred and forty seven days until they were starved into surrender on 30 April 1916. The remaining three hundred and fifty
men were taken prisoner and force marched one thousand miles to Turkey. The last part of the journey was made by train but by the time the journey ended on the 25
June at Baghstche in Turkey only one hundred and forty men had survived, Private William Rushen was among them. Their sufferings were not over. Despite their
weak condition they were put to work building a railway. Within weeks most men were too ill to work. Private William Rushen went down with dysentery and on
21st August 1916 he died, he was twenty three years old.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Rushen, 22 Stafford Road, Forest Gate and brother of William who was killed in action on the 4th October 1916.
20 January 1943 promoted to Acting Sgt. 28 September 1943 promoted to Lieutenant for duty with the Intelligence Corps. 16 January 1944 attended OCTU and then detached to No. 1 Wireless Unit, Royal Australian Air Force.
Embarked at Brisbane on board "Van Swoll" for Hollandia. Disembarked 5 April 1945. Flew from Hollandia to Leyte on the 24 April 1945, detached to 6 W.U. (Royal Australian Air Force. Flew from Leyte to Luzon, 26 May 1945. Detached to United states Army 22 June 1945.
Departed Manila on board "Francis Blanchet", disembarked Brisbane 20 November 1945. Completed service 17 December 1945.
Born 1895,the son of Samuel Rushen and Eliza Wilsmer of Romford. Enlisted at Ealing.
Killed in action in France, 22 September 1917, aged 22. Commemorated on the Arras Memorialand at Romford Cemetery.
Killed in action in France, 27 September 1918, aged 23. Commemorated on the Vis-en-artois Memorial.
Killed in action in France, 4 October 1916, aged 25. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Rushen, 22 Stafford Road, Forest Gate and brother of Charles who died of wounds on the 1st June 1916.
Medals issued to William were, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
