Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Thomas Roussac
The seventh child of Etienne Auguste Roussac Jnr and Isabela Masson.
He was born on Thursday, 1st December 1870 in Calcutta and baptised 28th December 1873.
He attended St Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling, a Jesuit College, along with his brother John Augustus and like him was brought up as a Protestant.
He married Mary STUART around 1896/7, presumably before the birth of their only child, though the event does not appear to be recorded officially. She was the daughter of John Stuart and Mah Thet Thet, a Burmese.
In the 1897 Baptism Register for his eldest child, he is described as a Civil Engineer but at some point he joined the Police and by 1908 he is listed as Superintendent of Police, Mandalay.
TWO PARTICULARLY INTERESTING AND HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES DURING HIS 20+ YEARS IN THE POLICE ARE RELATED HERE.
THE FIRST CONCERNS AJIT SINGH AND LALA LAJPAT RAI WHO AT THE TIME WERE REGARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS REVOLUTIONARIES.
The seventh child of Etienne Auguste Roussac Jnr and Isabela Masson.
He was born on Thursday, 1st December 1870 in Calcutta and baptised 28th December 1873.
He attended St Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling, a Jesuit College, along with his brother John Augustus and like him was brought up as a Protestant.
He married Mary STUART around 1896/7, presumably before the birth of their only child, though the event does not appear to be recorded officially. She was the daughter of John Stuart and Mah Thet Thet, a Burmese.
In the 1897 Baptism Register for his eldest child, he is described as a Civil Engineer but at some point he joined the Police and by 1908 he is listed as Superintendent of Police, Mandalay.
TWO PARTICULARLY INTERESTING AND HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES DURING HIS 20+ YEARS IN THE POLICE ARE RELATED HERE.
THE FIRST CONCERNS AJIT SINGH AND LALA LAJPAT RAI WHO AT THE TIME WERE REGARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS REVOLUTIONARIES.
On Saturday 9th November 1907, Mr D. H. R. Twomey, Commissioner, Mandalay Division of Police, gave full instructions to Mr Roussac, Deputy Superintendent of Police, for the escort of the State prisoners, Ajit Singh (1881-1947) and Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928) - both then deemed dissidents and nationalists. Mr Roussac then selected the men who were to form the escort to Rangoon and made all the preliminary arrangements but deliberately did not inform them that they were to be sent away from the district on duty.
It was then arranged that the special train should not start from the station but from the railway rest-house, so that privacy might be more easily secured.
On Monday 11th, Twomey went to Ajit Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai’s bungalows to inform them they were to be taken into custody to their homes, or near them, and there released. Shortly after this, Mr Roussac took the prisoners in a closed gharry to the special train.
The escort consisted of Mr Roussac, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Maxwell, Inspector of Police, a European Sergeant and 12 Indian Constables.
Mr Roussac and the Sgt were fully instructed as to the importance of secrecy. Mr Roussac travelled with Lala Lajpat Rai in the 1st class compartment and Mr Maxwell was in a 2nd class compartment with Ajit Singh.
Mr Roussac returned that evening.
His official report:
From: B. Roussac Esq., Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mandalay.
To: The Commissioner, Mandalay Division
I beg to report that the two political prisoners, Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, left Mandalaly in my charge by special train at about 11am on the 11th instant. The District Superintendent of Police was present and saw us off.
No one interviewed the prisoners on the journey, and at stations where the train halted they were screened from observation. They were given their meals in their compartments.
The train arrived at Pazundaung railway station about 5.30 a.m. and was met by the Commissioner of Police. The prisoners were at once taken in ticca gharries to the Barr Street jetty and by launch on board the R. I. M. S. Guide.
Dated 13th November 1907.
*Extracted from 'Selected Documents of Lala Rajpat Rai, 1906-1928' by Ravindar Kumar.
It was then arranged that the special train should not start from the station but from the railway rest-house, so that privacy might be more easily secured.
On Monday 11th, Twomey went to Ajit Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai’s bungalows to inform them they were to be taken into custody to their homes, or near them, and there released. Shortly after this, Mr Roussac took the prisoners in a closed gharry to the special train.
The escort consisted of Mr Roussac, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Maxwell, Inspector of Police, a European Sergeant and 12 Indian Constables.
Mr Roussac and the Sgt were fully instructed as to the importance of secrecy. Mr Roussac travelled with Lala Lajpat Rai in the 1st class compartment and Mr Maxwell was in a 2nd class compartment with Ajit Singh.
Mr Roussac returned that evening.
His official report:
From: B. Roussac Esq., Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mandalay.
To: The Commissioner, Mandalay Division
I beg to report that the two political prisoners, Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, left Mandalaly in my charge by special train at about 11am on the 11th instant. The District Superintendent of Police was present and saw us off.
No one interviewed the prisoners on the journey, and at stations where the train halted they were screened from observation. They were given their meals in their compartments.
The train arrived at Pazundaung railway station about 5.30 a.m. and was met by the Commissioner of Police. The prisoners were at once taken in ticca gharries to the Barr Street jetty and by launch on board the R. I. M. S. Guide.
Dated 13th November 1907.
*Extracted from 'Selected Documents of Lala Rajpat Rai, 1906-1928' by Ravindar Kumar.
THE SECOND HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE DURING HIS CAREER INVOLVED EX-KING THIBAW OF BURMA.
On 1st June 1911, Benjamin Thomas Roussac was assigned to take over the guardianship of ex-King Thibaw of Burma, from Assistant Commissioner M. Inman, a Civil Servant, who had resigned. To have an idea of BTR’s duties ahead of him it is useful to see what happened to his predecessor.
In fact, there had been a succession of Police Officers and others who had been tasked with this assignment but they found if far from easy, as will be seen.
By 1911, King Thibaw had been under the care of the British Government in Burma ever since British troops had marched to the Palace in Mandalay in 1885 to demand his surrender following a proclamation he had issued calling on his countrymen to liberate Lower Burma.
King Thibaw and his family were forced into exile in India, where they lived at Outram Hall on an island offshore from Ratnagiri. In 1906 the Government built an official residence for him and his family which became known as Thibaw’s Palace. It was here that BTR was to be posted.
In 1910, the Governor-General, Sir Harvey Adamson, considered ‘it important that His Highness should always have with him an officer of the Government of Burma well acquainted with his language, his manners and customs, his sentiments and the ideas with which his race and religion inspire him; above all the officer must be a gentleman of kindly nature and of courteous manners, a good linguist, and of such character and experience as will render it impossible for him to get entangled in His Highness’ monetary affairs; in short a person whom His Highness will look upon as a true friend and a trusted adviser.’
Being in the Civil Service, Mr Inman, was expected to be a man of some education, and he was expected to be a great improvement on all his predecessors. However, after about one month, he found himself to be a misfit. Not only was Thibaw dissatisfied with him, but it was also Inman who was dissatisfied with his position.
Inman cited five grounds for his resignation:
1) That the ex-King having been shifted to his new house, he was about a mile away from his own quarters.
2) That since Thibaw was allowed great freedom in his contacts with Burmans and other residents of and visitors to Ratnagiri, it was difficult to keep a proper watch on him.
3) That he knew neither Mahrathi nor Portuguese, so it was difficult for him to discharge his duties.
4) That in conversing with the ex-King, he was not willing to adopt a servile form of Burmese speech.
5) That life in Ratnagiri not being a sufficiently active one it was not beneficial to his health.
Following Inman’s resignation, the Commissioner directed that Inman’s successor should be clearly given to understand ‘that his position will be that of a friend and helper rather than a custodian.’
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Benjamin Thomas Roussac, served as the officer in charge until he was succeeded by Assistant Superintendent C. N. James in November 1913.
Ex-King Thibaw died in 1916.
*Extracted from 'Deposed King Thibaw of Burma in India 1885-1916' by Walter Sadgun Desai.
On 1st June 1911, Benjamin Thomas Roussac was assigned to take over the guardianship of ex-King Thibaw of Burma, from Assistant Commissioner M. Inman, a Civil Servant, who had resigned. To have an idea of BTR’s duties ahead of him it is useful to see what happened to his predecessor.
In fact, there had been a succession of Police Officers and others who had been tasked with this assignment but they found if far from easy, as will be seen.
By 1911, King Thibaw had been under the care of the British Government in Burma ever since British troops had marched to the Palace in Mandalay in 1885 to demand his surrender following a proclamation he had issued calling on his countrymen to liberate Lower Burma.
King Thibaw and his family were forced into exile in India, where they lived at Outram Hall on an island offshore from Ratnagiri. In 1906 the Government built an official residence for him and his family which became known as Thibaw’s Palace. It was here that BTR was to be posted.
In 1910, the Governor-General, Sir Harvey Adamson, considered ‘it important that His Highness should always have with him an officer of the Government of Burma well acquainted with his language, his manners and customs, his sentiments and the ideas with which his race and religion inspire him; above all the officer must be a gentleman of kindly nature and of courteous manners, a good linguist, and of such character and experience as will render it impossible for him to get entangled in His Highness’ monetary affairs; in short a person whom His Highness will look upon as a true friend and a trusted adviser.’
Being in the Civil Service, Mr Inman, was expected to be a man of some education, and he was expected to be a great improvement on all his predecessors. However, after about one month, he found himself to be a misfit. Not only was Thibaw dissatisfied with him, but it was also Inman who was dissatisfied with his position.
Inman cited five grounds for his resignation:
1) That the ex-King having been shifted to his new house, he was about a mile away from his own quarters.
2) That since Thibaw was allowed great freedom in his contacts with Burmans and other residents of and visitors to Ratnagiri, it was difficult to keep a proper watch on him.
3) That he knew neither Mahrathi nor Portuguese, so it was difficult for him to discharge his duties.
4) That in conversing with the ex-King, he was not willing to adopt a servile form of Burmese speech.
5) That life in Ratnagiri not being a sufficiently active one it was not beneficial to his health.
Following Inman’s resignation, the Commissioner directed that Inman’s successor should be clearly given to understand ‘that his position will be that of a friend and helper rather than a custodian.’
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Benjamin Thomas Roussac, served as the officer in charge until he was succeeded by Assistant Superintendent C. N. James in November 1913.
Ex-King Thibaw died in 1916.
*Extracted from 'Deposed King Thibaw of Burma in India 1885-1916' by Walter Sadgun Desai.
By 1918 he had been appointed Assistant Commandant and District Superintendent of Military Police at Port Blair and the Nicobars, Andaman Islands. In 1921 he was with the Provincial Police Service as Deputy Superintendent 1st Grade. He retired on 1st December 1925.
It is not known exactly when he and his wife sailed to England but from 1927 the Electoral Roll shows them living at 161 Hanover Road, Willesden, in north west London.
His wife died at the nearby Central Middlesex Hospital on 29th September 1950 and he died on 5th November 1952 and was cremated at Golders Green. Probate for his Will was granted to Isabella Annie Peters, née Roussac, my grandmother.
There were four children:
It is not known exactly when he and his wife sailed to England but from 1927 the Electoral Roll shows them living at 161 Hanover Road, Willesden, in north west London.
His wife died at the nearby Central Middlesex Hospital on 29th September 1950 and he died on 5th November 1952 and was cremated at Golders Green. Probate for his Will was granted to Isabella Annie Peters, née Roussac, my grandmother.
There were four children:
1. John Augustus ‘Gus Stuart Roussac
He was born on Friday 24th September 1897 at Rangoon, Burma. He attended the Dollar Academy near Perth, Scotland, where he won school prizes for English and History in 1909 and 1910 and won a prize for Gymnastics in 1913 and the Cricket Prize in 1912 and 1913.
In the photo of the Dollar Academy 1st XI Cricket Team in 1913, left, he is sitting lower right.
He was also a member of the Officer Training Corps. He also attended Waverley College, Edinburgh.
In 1915, while he was still a student, and aged just seventeen, he went to Canada. He bought a $45 ticket to sail on the SS Hesparian on 2nd July from Liverpool arriving at Quebec 11th July, his destination being Montreal where he entered McGill University.
He was born on Friday 24th September 1897 at Rangoon, Burma. He attended the Dollar Academy near Perth, Scotland, where he won school prizes for English and History in 1909 and 1910 and won a prize for Gymnastics in 1913 and the Cricket Prize in 1912 and 1913.
In the photo of the Dollar Academy 1st XI Cricket Team in 1913, left, he is sitting lower right.
He was also a member of the Officer Training Corps. He also attended Waverley College, Edinburgh.
In 1915, while he was still a student, and aged just seventeen, he went to Canada. He bought a $45 ticket to sail on the SS Hesparian on 2nd July from Liverpool arriving at Quebec 11th July, his destination being Montreal where he entered McGill University.
He left McGill towards the end of his Freshman year to join C Battery, R.C.H.A. (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery) at Kingston, Ontario, as a Gunner on 13th March 1916. He transferred to the 23rd Howitzer Battery, 5th Artillery Brigade. He was promoted to Sgt; served in France and was wounded at Fresnoy, France, on 8th May 1917. In July 1919, he proceeded to Ripon, England, the location of the Canadian Command Unit, for dispersal to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He married Dorothy Maud LITTLE on 13th April 1925 at Timmins, Ontario. She was born 23rd May 1898 at Peel, Ontario, the daughter of Henry Marwood Little (born England) and Edith Amy Burt.
On December 23rd, 1926, John, aged 29, then a Mining Engineer, and Dorothy, aged 28, and their daughter Mary aged 10 months, arrived at Liverpool aboard the SS Antonia having sailed from Halifax via New York 3rd Class. While in London they stayed at 155 Hanover Road, Brondesbury Park, London NW10.
On August 30th, 1927, aged 30, he arrived 1st Class at Plymouth aboard the SS Stuyvesant. His country of last and future permanent residence was given as England on the manifest.
He was still working for the mining company at Algoma, Ontario, in 1935, supervising 8 other men.
The photo shows him on the right at a mining camp in Ontario.
In 1937 the Evening News reported that he was fined $10 ‘when he pleaded guilty to a drunk charge upon arraignment before Judge F. Ray Gillespie’
On 24th October 1945 it was reported in the French language Montreal press that a divorce application had been made to the city court by her and that he was ordered to appear within a month. She was then living in Montreal and continued to do so. It is not known if the divorce was granted or not.
At this point in his story, he appears to vanish from records. Nothing further is known about him. It is thought that he may have gone abroad and married someone else, but this is unverified.
Any further information about him would be greatly appreciated.
His wife (or possibly ex-wife) died in July 1985 at Montreal.
There were four children.
He married Dorothy Maud LITTLE on 13th April 1925 at Timmins, Ontario. She was born 23rd May 1898 at Peel, Ontario, the daughter of Henry Marwood Little (born England) and Edith Amy Burt.
On December 23rd, 1926, John, aged 29, then a Mining Engineer, and Dorothy, aged 28, and their daughter Mary aged 10 months, arrived at Liverpool aboard the SS Antonia having sailed from Halifax via New York 3rd Class. While in London they stayed at 155 Hanover Road, Brondesbury Park, London NW10.
On August 30th, 1927, aged 30, he arrived 1st Class at Plymouth aboard the SS Stuyvesant. His country of last and future permanent residence was given as England on the manifest.
He was still working for the mining company at Algoma, Ontario, in 1935, supervising 8 other men.
The photo shows him on the right at a mining camp in Ontario.
In 1937 the Evening News reported that he was fined $10 ‘when he pleaded guilty to a drunk charge upon arraignment before Judge F. Ray Gillespie’
On 24th October 1945 it was reported in the French language Montreal press that a divorce application had been made to the city court by her and that he was ordered to appear within a month. She was then living in Montreal and continued to do so. It is not known if the divorce was granted or not.
At this point in his story, he appears to vanish from records. Nothing further is known about him. It is thought that he may have gone abroad and married someone else, but this is unverified.
Any further information about him would be greatly appreciated.
His wife (or possibly ex-wife) died in July 1985 at Montreal.
There were four children.
2. Joyce Mary Stuart Roussac
She was born Tuesday 9th February 1926 at Kirkland Lake, Timiskaming, Ontario. She married 1st, Joseph William TENHAGEN, a Gem Appraiser and President of the Tenhagen Gemological Laboratory (2nd August 1933 – 27th April 2013). They divorced in 1963 at Broward, Florida.
She married, 2nd, Stephen Alexander TILLOTSON in May 1967 at Palm Beach, Florida; an Attorney of Woodbury, Tennessee, who was born there in 1925 and died there in February 2016.
She died on 30th August 2007 at Woodbury, Cannon, Tennessee, USA.
3. Dorothy Joan Stuart Roussac
She was born Wednesday 27th June 1928. She grew up in a mining area of north Ontario and Montreal. A long-time resident of Edmonton, Alberta, she had a passion for animals.
She married Robert Oliver HOLLOWAY in 1947 and they lived at White Rock, Edmonton, British Columbia. He was born 22nd May 1921 in Montreal, the son of Edward Stimson Holloway and Ella May Bryson.
According to an online obituary, they moved to Alberta in 1950 and established a successful paint business. They travelled extensively around the world sharing many adventures and memories. She suffered with Alzheimers for 13 years. Her husband predeceased her.
She died on 9th December 2012 at White Rock, Edmonton, BC.
There were three children.
She was born Tuesday 9th February 1926 at Kirkland Lake, Timiskaming, Ontario. She married 1st, Joseph William TENHAGEN, a Gem Appraiser and President of the Tenhagen Gemological Laboratory (2nd August 1933 – 27th April 2013). They divorced in 1963 at Broward, Florida.
She married, 2nd, Stephen Alexander TILLOTSON in May 1967 at Palm Beach, Florida; an Attorney of Woodbury, Tennessee, who was born there in 1925 and died there in February 2016.
She died on 30th August 2007 at Woodbury, Cannon, Tennessee, USA.
3. Dorothy Joan Stuart Roussac
She was born Wednesday 27th June 1928. She grew up in a mining area of north Ontario and Montreal. A long-time resident of Edmonton, Alberta, she had a passion for animals.
She married Robert Oliver HOLLOWAY in 1947 and they lived at White Rock, Edmonton, British Columbia. He was born 22nd May 1921 in Montreal, the son of Edward Stimson Holloway and Ella May Bryson.
According to an online obituary, they moved to Alberta in 1950 and established a successful paint business. They travelled extensively around the world sharing many adventures and memories. She suffered with Alzheimers for 13 years. Her husband predeceased her.
She died on 9th December 2012 at White Rock, Edmonton, BC.
There were three children.
4. Ian Henry Stuart Roussac
He was born on Saturday 16th March 1935 at Montreal.
After High School he spent two and a half years at the Dominion Bridge Co. in Montreal. From there he went to the Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC where his ambition of becoming a pilot was fulfilled, as he spent the summer herding chipmunks down the runway at the Royal Canadian Air Force Station at Centralia, Ontario, during their Ground Defence Course at Camp Borden, and in the wilds of northwest Alberta on the RCAF’s survival course. During his two years on the course he represented the college at soccer/football and volleyball. He was also a keen photographer. At the graduation ceremony he was awarded Crest for Athletic Achievement and Outstanding Sportsmanship.
He married Mary Joan Elizabeth SHAVER (1935-1998) the daughter of George Wilfred Shaver and Margerite Shea.
He died on 21st April 1994 at Montreal and was buried at the Mount Royal Cemetery.
There were three children.
He was born on Saturday 16th March 1935 at Montreal.
After High School he spent two and a half years at the Dominion Bridge Co. in Montreal. From there he went to the Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC where his ambition of becoming a pilot was fulfilled, as he spent the summer herding chipmunks down the runway at the Royal Canadian Air Force Station at Centralia, Ontario, during their Ground Defence Course at Camp Borden, and in the wilds of northwest Alberta on the RCAF’s survival course. During his two years on the course he represented the college at soccer/football and volleyball. He was also a keen photographer. At the graduation ceremony he was awarded Crest for Athletic Achievement and Outstanding Sportsmanship.
He married Mary Joan Elizabeth SHAVER (1935-1998) the daughter of George Wilfred Shaver and Margerite Shea.
He died on 21st April 1994 at Montreal and was buried at the Mount Royal Cemetery.
There were three children.
