Born at Probus, near Truro, Cornwall.
1841 Census
Church Town, Probus. [where?]
Thomas Rooke, aged 45, Shoemaker.
Eliza Rook, 40.
Also Ann 20, James 15, John 13, George 9, Robert 7, Elizabeth 3.
Enlisted by the 15th Hussars at Exeter, but was posted to the 11th Hussars on the 8th of January 1855, joining the Depot at Newbridge on the 10th of January.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Carpenter.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Light. brown hair.
Attached to the Land Transport Corps from the 10th of March 1855.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 25th of May 1855.
In the General Hospital at Scutari from the 9th of July 1855, but rejoining the regiment on the 11th of August 1855, was then invalided to England.
Discharged, "invalided", from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 4th of December 1855, as "Considered unfit for further military service from "Phthisis, developed in the Crimea after fever and diarrhoea contracted at Balaclava."
Served 240 days in Turkey and the Crimea.
Aged 19 years on discharge (says 24) [sic].
Conduct and character: "has been good." Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Awarded a pension of 6d. per day for 12 months on discharge, and further extensions of 6d. for 6 months from the 26th of December 1856, 6d. for 3 months from the 26th of June 1857, 6d. for one year from the 11th of May 1858 and a "final" award of 6d. per day for 6 months from the 11th of May 1859.
To live in the Falmouth Pension District.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
Marriage registered
George Rooke married [who?], March Quarter 1861, Redruth.
1861 Census
Redruth, Cambourne.
George Rooke, aged 27, Carpenter, born Probus.
Mary Jane Rooke, 27.
1871 Census
30, James Street, Deptford, Greenwich
George Rooke, aged 39, lodger, Carpenter, born Probus.
Mary J Rooke, 37.
Death registered
Mary Jane Rooke, aged 39, December Quarter 1872, Greenwich.
1881 Census
Bishop Court, Redruth.
George Rooke, aged 50, boarder, widower, Carpenter, born Probus.
1891 Census
Kenwyn, Truro.
George Rooke, aged 60, boarder, widower, Carpenter.
1901 Census
Still Moon, Bodmin, Cornwall.
George Rook [sic], aged 75, boarder, widower, Carpenter, born Bodmin.
Death registered
George Rooke, 79, December Quarter 1907, Truro.
Census information for 1841 and 1861-1901, and death regsistrations for GR and MJR, kindly provided by Chris Poole.