James Rouse (buried 1912)

James Thomas Rouse was born in Jan/Feb 1866 in Sunninghill Berkshire to James and Ellen Rouse (nee Smith). 

James senior worked as a head Gardener at Waste Court where he worked for 23 years. Waste Court was owned by the Clarke family until 1924 when it was sold and turned into a school in 1928.  James senior was also a judge at local flower shows. 

James Thomas Rouse joined the Royal Engineers on 24th August 1886, he had previously worked as a Clerk.  He was promoted to a Sergeant Engineer Clerk on 4th March 1892, (the title of these rolls were unique to the Royal Engineers) and then was sent to St. Lucia, Barbados on 14th Sept 1892 to 22nd January 1896. The Royal Engineers headquarters was located at the Morne an area south of Castries, the islands capitol. He returned home in January 1896 and was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant Engineer Clerk on 4th March 1898. He was then sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia on 10th December 1898 to 19th December 1903.  Nova Scotia was a British colony and the last British garrison before it joined with Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick to form the dominion of Canada. The Royal Engineers were responsible for designing and constructing various military installations across Nova Scotia. He completed 21 years service and was discharged on 23rd August 1907. 

James married Clara Matilda Carter on 30th April 1910 in Lindfield, Sussex, they did not have any children.  The couple moved to Worthing after they were married and lived at 9 The Drive, Worthing.  James died in the latter quarter of 1912 while still living in Worthing. There does not appear to be a probate record for him.