VETERAN OF THE CRIMEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21533, 3 July 1933, Page 11

VETERAN OF THE CRIMEA

DEATH AT 99 YEARS MR. JAMES SANDBROOK MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN A veteran of the Crimean War, Ser-geant-Major James Sandbrook, dictl at the residence of his daughter at Devonport 011 Saturday. Jlr. Sandbrook, who was in his hundredth year, was also a Maori Wn? veteran. Born at High Ircall, near Wellington, Shropshire, he enlisted in tho second battalion of the 11th Foot on November 11, IS-jI, at the age of 20. Ho had retained his original pay book, and conspicuous in its printed regulations was a list of military offences for which tho death penalty might be exacted.

Although of an extreme age, Mr. Sandbrook even in recent years had recollections of his days in tho Crimea. Ho often spoke of tho hardships suffered bv the soldiers, who were compelled to remain in tho trenches for tho whole 2-1 hours under tho-extreme winter conditions of that region. He also remembered 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 tho command of Sir James Alexander, and ho was able to recall Lord Baglan, who died in tho Crimea, and General Simpson, who succeeded him in command.

He was never wounded, but was in hospital for a time. It was then that lie saw Miss Florence Nightingale. He remembered the dark uniform that she used to wear and the wide straw hat tied with a ribbon under her chin. His memory of her was that she was .i vorv pretty woman.

After the Crimean War, Mr. Sandbrook was stationed at Malta, and at Gibraltar, and he married ip Ireland before coming to Australia and later to New Zealand, where he arrived in September, 1860. He joined the Armed Constabulary and during the later Maori Wars travelled much about the country on the staff of Sir Donald McLean, Defence Minister and Chief Justice. He obtained his discharge in 1870 and was in the service of successive politicians at the House of Parliament in Wellington until his retirement over 20 years ago. Mr. Sand brook was an excellent rifle shot in his prime and served as an assistant musketry instructor. Ho was among the oldest Foresters in New Zealand, having first joined a lodge of that body in Wellington in 1870. Ho was presented to the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York on the occasion of their visits to New Zealand. For a time ho was president of the Veterans' Association in Wellington. Ho was a very well known figure in Wellington during his long residence there. About four years ago ho came with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr: and Mrs. N. P. Perrin, to live in Dovonport. He is survived by five children, .'-50 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Mrs. Sandbrook died about seven years ago.