Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Henry Stanley Rush born at Hornchurch, Essex in 1886 was the third born son and one of 9 children all of whom survived, 4 sons and 5 daughters. His parents George Grimwood Rush and Emma Kemp both born in 1852, natives of Hornchurch and Broomfield, Essex were married in 1873 at Romford. His father was employed at the iron works as a labourer/cart man whilst they were living at Butte Green, Hornchurch. At the age of 15 Henry and his elder brother George (23) were both working there also as moulders.
Aged 18 Henry Stanley left his employment as a labourer at Hornchurch Brewery to enlist in the Army at Bodmin, April 1903, declaring that he had formally served in the 1st Volunteer Battalion Essex Regiment, he was assigned as Private 7386 Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. May 22nd he was at Bodmin, by August 2nd he had been transferred to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Having risen through the ranks to Lance Corporal, July 20th 1904 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry as number 8447 however a year later at his own request he reverted to the rank of Private. May 12th 1906 he was permitted to extend his service with the colours in order to complete 9 years of service and was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Regular Army, August 30th 1908.
During the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1908 Private Rush was married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Annie Robson born at Heworth in 1885 and with whom he had 2 sons, Thomas born July 7th 1909 and Henry Stanley Jnr born August 14th 1911. Whilst her husband was serving she lived with her children at 4, Watson’s Buildings, Heworth Lane as housekeeper for her widowed father Robert, a cooper by trade, brother Peter a tinsmith labourer at the paint works, George a screener at the colliery and her sister Martha a scholar.
During 1912 Private Rush was assigned to section B. Reserve, for men who had completed their service in the regular army and were serving their period of 5 years on reserve. He received a pay of 3 shillings and 6 pence a week and could be called upon in the event of general mobilisation. He returned home to Ridley Street, Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham and had expressed upon his release that he wished to find employment on the railway.
After the commencement of hostilities with Germany in 1914 the reservists were called upon to serve at home as well as on active service. He was called back to the colours August 5th 1914 and offered, March 22nd 1916, a bounty of 15 pounds as an incentive to re-engage for the duration of the war. November 2nd 1917 he was transferred as Private 316892 to the 471st Home Service Employment Company, Labour Corps, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The H. S. Employment Company Labour Corps was formed of men whose health was below parr for front line service, older than infantrymen at the front and were generally over 35 years of age, fit enough to undertake manual labour but generally could not march with full kit for over 5 miles. They performed various tasks working at the Depots, Hospitals, Barracks providing clerks, cooks, store-men and undertook duties such as sanitary men. Examined on a monthly basis to see if they were fit enough to return to the front, as the war progressed, the medical standards were lowered as regards fitness, Private Rush however was never drafted on active service overseas.
Private Rush was admitted to the Barrack’s Hospital October 16th 1917 as a case of influenza, given treatment in the form of brandy and heart tonic which by the 18th brought his temperature down to 95, by the 20th it had risen again to 102 and it was decided he required special nursing, he was transferred to the 1st Northern General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne run by the R.A.M.C. and admitted October 21st 1917.
On admission he was, “in a typhoid state and is delirious. Pulse 104 Resp 32. Looks very ill. Tongue foul. Covered in sours and dry. Abdomen humid. Area of splenis dulness…illegible…Defused crepitations in both lungs especially…illegible. No evidence of consolidation. Seen by Lt Col…illegible…at 12.45 who recommends to be treated as a case (suspected) enteric, to be given only milk and soda. Stool for Bact Examination and blood culture…illegible…possible…illegible. Brandy 1/2 oz 4 hourly.”
Private 8447 Henry Stanley Rush Durham Light Infantry attached as 316892 Labour Corps, died at 3.55 a.m. October 22nd 1917 at the 1st Northern General Hospital. Pathological Diagnosis; Acute enteritis, bronchial pneumonia. A letter as regards his demise was sent to the Infantry Records Office, York, once this error was discovered the Labour Corps Records Office, Nottingham were correctly informed. It also stated, “On request of next-of-kin, the body is being sent home to 1, Ridley Terrace, Heworth, County Durham for burial locally.’ The arrangement would have been organised by the Army however the family would have had to bear the cost.
Private H. S. Rush was buried at Heworth St. Mary Churchyard in the S.E. part, exact date unknown. At the time of his demise he was 33 years old. Awards; none.
His widow Annie received a Scroll of Honour in recognition of her husband’s service to his country. April 9th 1918 it was confirmed to her by the Ministry of Pensions that she was eligible for the grant of a pension under article 11 of the Royal Warrant of 29th March 1917.
She remarried in the district of Gateshead in 1920 Thomas Sproates. Annie Sproates-Rush nee Robson died in 1950 aged 65 years, registered in the district of Northumberland South.
Henry Stanley and Annie’s son Thomas died in 1970 aged 60 years, Henry Stanley Jnr in 1961 aged 49 years both registered district of Northumberland South.
Henry Stanley’s mother Emma Rush nee Kemp died aged 76 years in 1928, his father George Grimwood Rush in 1931 aged 79 years, both registered in the district of Romford, Essex.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Henry Stanley (Harry) Rush, D.L.I., died at Northern General Hospital, Oct. 22nd., aged 33 years. Husband of Annie Rush (nee Robson), late of Heworth Lane.
Henry Stanley Rush is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
