#3570, William Rushbrooke EDEN

William was commissioned from RMA Woolwich as a Second Lieutenant on 4th March 1893, being promoted to Lieutenant on 4th March 1896 and Supernumerary Captain on 28th May 1900.

In the Second Boer War he served with A Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery being present at the Relief of Ladysmith. He also took part in the Battle of Vaal Kranz, the Battle of the Tugela Heights, and action at Pieter's Hill. From March to June 1900 he was taking part in operations in Natal which included action at Laing's Nek from 6th to 9th June. He served in the Transvaal from July to November 1900 which included actions at Belfast and Lydenberg.

Famously, the cool and gallant Eden led a section of the Chestnut Battery in an assault on a Boer gun, (in defence of an important supply convoy), which they managed to destroy very much against the odds. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with six clasps and the Distinguished Service Order.

William was an Adjutant in the Royal Artillery from 1901 to 1904, being promoted to full Captain in 1905 and following a spell in Egypt with U Battery gained his Majority in 1910.

The First World War saw him as a full Lt. Col. from November 1915 and a Brigadier-General in the Royal Artillery, 27th Division, Salonika Army in 1916. After many Mentions in Despatches he was made a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George and awarded the Legion of Honour in 1917.

He retired to Cosford where, on one occasion it is said he was visited by his niece Dorothy Eden who found him comfortably ensconced in a large double bed.

Col. William's French awarded Legion of Honour WWI medal is in the safe hands of Jordan Cassidy.