RUSHBROOKE, Bartle Davers


Captain, Bartle Davers RUSHBROOKE
Aged 22


OC "A" Company, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on 25th May 1915


Bartle Davers Rushbrooke was born on 25th September 1892 at Shirbeck, Linconshire (4th qtr 1892 Boston 7a:418), son of Robert Wyndham Jermyn and Constance Julia RUSHBROOKE (née SPARROW)

1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Rushbrooke Hall, nr Bury St.Edmunds with his father Wyndham RUSHBROOKE [43] of private means, born Rushbrooke; his mother Contance [40] born Great Cornard and sister Christabel [14] born Rushbrooke.

1911 census...Aged 18, he was 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Suffolks at Aldershot. His widowed mother was at Rushbrooke Park with his sister Christabel. His father had died in 1908.




He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. 15th January 1915, Lieutenant Rushbrooke joined 1st battalion from the 3rd Battalion. May 9th Captain Rushbrooke arrived, with a draft from Felixstowe, at Poperinghe. This small detachment of 1st Battalion under Captain Rushbrooke was sent on the 10th to huts north of Ypres, only to return the following day with the remnants of 84th Brigade to the camp near Poperinghe.
The History of the Suffolk Regt, (Lt.Col. Murphy), relates that on 24th the battalion, reduced to less than 400 men, set off across country and reach Witte Poort Farm at about 5 pm, incurring some casualties on the way.
In front of the farm was a sunken road and ditch and about 200 yards away, the Germans. 2 Companies (one under Capt Rushbrooke), formed a firing line and crept across the road. The Germans held their fire until Major Maycock gave the order to charge with fixed bayonets. Capt. Rushbrooke led his company through the hedge and immediately the Germans opened a furious fire, such that they were thinned out and the objective was not reached and they were obliged to withdraw. It was ordered that Bellewarde Farm had to be taken at all costs, but this was not to be. On relief that night, the remnants went back to Balloon Wood, west of Vlamertinghe, now with just 3 officers and 181 men. Major Maycock and Capt Rushbrooke reported as missing, believed killed.




Bartle Rushbrooke is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres panel 21

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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