Born in King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Enlisted at Hounslow on the 9th of November 1849.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Harness-maker. (Another source states that he was a servant.)
1851 Census
Pockthorpe Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.
John Rust, aged 21, unmarried, Soldier, Private, born Lynn, Norfolk.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of January 1855.
Sent to Scutari from the 25th of June 1855.
Discharged "by purchase" from Hounslow on the 13th of April 1857. Payment of £25.
Served 7 years 150 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months.
Conduct: "very good".
In possession of one Good Conduct badge.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman, Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
His name was on the 1877 list of members of the Balaclava Commemoration Society, but not on the 1879 revised list.
After leaving the Army he entered the Norfolk Constabulary on the 13th of May 1857. His age was given as 27 years and being a single man. His physical description showed him as being of a fair complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His trade was that of a harness-maker. His length of service in the 11th Hussars was given as 7 years 150 days and his conduct as "very good".
1871 Census
By the church, St Margaret & St Mary's, Norwich
John Rust, aged 42, Police Constable, born Lynn.
Elizabeth D Rust, 31, born Fakenham.
During his police service he was attached to the Harling Division and the following shows his stages of promotion: Raised to Second Class Constable, 29th of September 1859, to 1st Class, 19th of December 1859 and to Inspector on the 5th of February 1866.
He was reduced to 1st. Class Constable (for an unknown cause) and a decrease in pay to 24/- per week from the 4th of August 1866. This was increased to 25/- per week and after being superannuated on the 2nd of November 1885 with a pension of 14/- per week.
He died on the 17th of the same month, only 15 days after retirement. From this he may have been superannuated on "medical grounds".
Death registered
John Rust, aged 58, December Quarter 1885, born Blofield.
He was buried at Freethorpe on the 19th of November 1885, his grave being near the church chancel and a stone was erected. The inscription on it reads:
"James Rust, beloved husband of Elizabeth Rust, who departed this life, November 17th 1885, aged 58 years. Lamented by a large circle of friends acquired during 40 years of public life, 28 years in the Norfolk Constabulary and 12 in the Army.
He retired from his military career a Sergeant Major of the 11th Hussars; when in the Regiment he took part in the ever memorable Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava."
There is a photograph of his gravestone in the 11th Hussar file.
By 1974, the cottage he lived in was situated opposite the church and had recently been demolished and a chalet bungalow erected in its place. The information on his grave and memorial stone, above, was given by Mrs D.J. Amiss, of Acle, near Norwich, who lived in Freethorpe as a child.
Additional Census information for 1851 and 1871, and the registration of John Rust's death, kindly provided by Chris Poole.