CRIMEAN VETERAN

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5568, 5 February 1931, Page 9

CRIMEAN VETERAN

i Living at Devonport

FIGHTING 77 YEAES AGO j

After a lapse of nearly 77 years it seems scarcely possible that any still remain of the great army that went forth to do battle for their country in tho Crimea iu 1854. And yet one at least in this country, Mr. James Sandbrook, of 48, Vauxhall Roadj Devonport, is alive and well to tell the tale. Born at High Ircall, near Wellington, in the county of Salop, Shropshire, in 1834, he enlisted ia the second battalion of tho 34th Foot on November 11, 1854, at the age of 20. In those days, Mr. Sandbrook says, tho war was all that young men thought of and they enlisted eagerly in largo numbers. Mr. Sandbrook’s original pay book, recording all manner of military and a number of domestic details, is a document of genuine historic interest. Conspicuous iu the printed regulations of its front pages is a list of military offences for which the death penalty may bo exacted. After live years’ servico soldiers with unblemished records may be rewarded with a good conduct allowance of an extra Id a day. Scales of values have altered since then. Mr. Sandbrook holds the Crimean Turkish and Maori war medals. When questioned about the Crimea campaign he admits with a smile that his memory is not as good as it was, but it has by no moans deserted him. ». . Ineffaceable Memories. Such experiences as inen went, through there in tho pride of their young manhood are ineffaceable. '‘lt was hard on the soldiers in the trenches in the frost and snow for 24 hours at a time,” Mr. Sandbrook said. He remembers still the pound of salt beef that was issued to the men and tho daily two quarts of water and the ration of rum. His regiment was under the command of Sir James Alexander and ho can recall Lord Raglan, who died out there, and General who succeeded him in command. Mr. Sandbrook was never wounded, but like nearly everyone else in' tho campaign he had a time in hospital. It was ’then that he saw Miss Florence Nightingale when she came on . her rounds to see the men. He described tho dark uniform that she used to wear and tho -wide straw hat tied' with a ribbon under her chin. “A very pretty woman! ; 1 aid the old soldier, with. &u, enthusiasm that three-quarters of a ceuttiry lias failed to extinguish. After the Crimean War, Mr. Sandbrook was stationed at Malta and at Gibraltar and he married in Ireland before coming to Australia and later to New Zealand, whore ho arrived in September, IS6O. He joined, the Armed Constabulary here and during the later Maori Wars travelled much about the couutry on the staff of Sir Donald McLean, Defence Minister- and Cbicr Justice. . . Meetings with Royalty.

After getting hia discharge ISiO Mr. SandUrook was in the servico or successive politicians about the Houses of Parliament in Wellington until his retirement 20 years ago. Among wellknown politicians of the past with whom he rvas associated were Sir Patrick Buckley, Captain ‘Russell, a captain in the 14th Regiment and Leader of tho Opposition in Richard Seddon s time, and’ last of all, Sir. John Findlay. Mr. Sandbrook was an excellent rifle shot in his prime and served as an assistant musketry intruetor. He must be one of the oldest Foresters in New Zealand, for he first joined a lodge of that body in Wellington in 1870. Publicity has never had any attractions for Mr. Sandbrook, but of recent year, as his record has become mom and more Tare and remarkable, he could not altogether avoid it. He was presented both to tho Prince of Wales and to tho Duke and Duchess of York on the occasion of their visits to New Zealand. For a time lie was president or the Veterans’ Association in Wellington. His memories with royalty go. back a' long time, for he saw a good deal of tho’'Duke of Marlborough, when he came to New Zealand in the ’sixties. Still Keenly Interested. Mr. Sandbrook was a very wellknown figure in Wellington, where he lived for the greater part of his life until about IS months ago he came with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. James Perrin, to livo in Devonport. He still retains a keen interest in all that is passing and never fails to make himself acquainted with the contents of tho daily nowspapei. His pipe is his constant companion, and he knows just how to fill it to his own liking. Last week he .found great pleasure in a visit to a picture theatre where, at a special session, the immortal story of Balaclava was reproduced in a historic sound film. It was his first “talkie,” and lie was. able to follow it and to pass approving judgment on the correctness of the military uniforms depicted. The outing brought him in contact with a number of olttfriends, and gave him much pleasure on that account. They were a hardy Tace those men who added renown to the name of England in 3854, and surely among the hardiest of them must bo accounted No. 3672, Sergeant James Sandbrook, of the 14th Foot.