Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'DEATH OF SERGEANT RUST

His Excellency the Governor, has received a cable from the P.M.O. at the Kroonstadt Hospital stating that Sergeant W. Rust, who had been ill since February last with enteric fever and jaundice, succumbed on May 8 [1902]. The deceased soldier was born at Glanville in 1877, and was thus only 25 years of age. He had been soldiering for several years before he had worn active service uniform, as a member of tha Volunteer Defence Forces and the Permanent Artillery. When the call to arms roused the nation, he promptly volunteered for active service, and went to the war under Lieutenant-Colonel (then Captain) F.H. Howland as a lance-corporal. He came back to the State as a corporal.

The deceased soldier was an enthusiastic signaller in the local forces, and when in South Africa his reputed proficiency with the flag, lamp, and heliograph prompted Major Campbell (the officer commanding the signalling branch of the 1st Gordon Highlanders) to requisition his services. Colonel Rhodes (the Inspector of Signalling for the British army) prescribed an examination before the deceased entered upon his new duties with the famous Highland Regiment. The examiners reported that he had passed as first-class, and he was signalling with the Gordon and the Shropshire regiments, and with Colonel Henry, the officer commanding the Fourth Mounted Infantry Corps, on and off.

The late Sergeant Rust did his full share of fighting whilst on active service with the First Contingent, and on several occasions his bravery brought forth official recognition. On one occasion he and several other soldiers volunteered to carry dispatches from one commanding officer to another, and for five hours they crossed and recrossed the Boers' line of fire, and were warmly complimented on their plucky conduct by the colonel commanding at the time. The late Sergeant Rust was entitled to four bars, as he was in hospital with malarial fever when the Belfast engagement was fought. On the return home of the contingent the deceased soldier went to Sydney with the Federation Contingent, and afterwards joined the Fifth Contingent. His father (Mr. Edward Rust, blacksmith, of Gouger Street) and mother reside at South Terrace, Adelaide.' from the Chronicle 17 May 1902 (nla.gov.au)

Previously served 2 years as a corporal signaller with 1st Battalion Infantry and eighteen months Permanent Force as trumpeter.

Later served with 5th and 6th Contingents

Died of Entercic Fever at Kroonstad on 8 May 1902 while serving with 6th Contingent