Rodger, John

Last week there died at Portobello (Dunedin) aged 90 years, John Rodger, who was a Crimean veteran and was even at that time (1854) an old soldier.

Southland Times, Issue 19141, 3 September 1903, Page 2

JOHN RODGER,
Veteran and Colonist. Born 1814; died 1903,

This grand old soldier-sailor was one of a type now almost extinct. Born at G-lashiels in the year 1814, he enlisted in the Royal Marines while quite a young man, and saw much service abroad while the 19th century was still young.

For conspicuous bravery in Spain he received the Spanish Cross, and for his part in the siege and fall of Sebastopol was awarded the Crimean Medal. Of these he was, as every true soldier would be, honestly proud, but more so of the fact that he formed one of the guard of honour at the Coronation of the girl-queen Victoria at Westminster Abbey in 1838.

Shortly after the close of the Crimean war he received his discharge, and emigrated to New Zealand, settling at Broad Bay in 1858, where, a few weeks since, in his 88th year, the old man died, and was laid to rest by loving relations and friends, in whose minds remembrance of the sturdy and kindly old veteran will long remain green.

Otago Witness , Issue 2586, 7 October 1903, Page 36