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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


L/Sergeant 181 William Thomas RUSSELL - 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Monday 15th March 1915 aged 34

Military History
     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals Ploegsteert Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
22 Aug 1914 at Boulogne, France ~ Leamington (New Milverton) St. Marks
    Leamington Spa War Memorial 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Leamington St. John's Memorial
Trench Warfare near Ypres 1904 in Warwick  
     
Place of Death Date and Place Mobilised Other War Memorials
St. Yves 5 Aug 1914 from Reserves at Warwick Coventry Post Office 
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 15 March 1915. A newspaper report in the Leamington Spa Courier reveals that he was shot by an enemy sniper. The newspaper report and 1st Battalion war diary entry for that day are both transcribed below.

War Diary

15th March 1915 – St. Yves:  Quiet night. Rations arrived from Armentieres about 2am. Relief carried out by Q.V.R and Welsh Regt in evening with incident. Battalion moved to Armentieres to billet. Sergt Russell killed, 1 wounded.

Newspaper Obituary

Leamington Spa Courier - March 19, 1915 - Local Casualties
SERGEANT W. T. RUSSELL

News has just been received of the death of Sergeant William Thomas Russell, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Russell of 2 Albion Row. He was killed in the trenches about 12.30pm on the 15th inst.

His Company officer writes: “He was hit by a sniper in the head and his death was a painless one. I shall feel his loss greatly, as he was one of my best Sergeants whom I had great faith in”.

Thirty-four years of age he was a reservist when the war broke out, and immediately rejoined the 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Private. He earned steady promotion and at the time of his death held the full rank of Sergeant. About six weeks ago he was presented with the Distinguished Conduct Medal. [NB. We have not been able to find the records for the medal award].

Sergeant Russell was one of three brothers serving at the Front, only one of whom, Pte. Frederick Russell, 1st King’s Own Lancashire Regiment is now living. Previous to the outbreak of war Sergeant Russell was a postman at Coventry. He leaves a widow and three children.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jan Qtr 1881 at Leamington Spa 6 Feb 1881 at Leamington St. John's
   
Parents Names Abode
William Thomas and Sarah Ann Russell 2 Albion Row, Wise Street, Leamington Spa  
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Rosa Ellen Russell Frederick born 17 Aug 1909
Oct Qtr 1908 in Leamington Spa Ivy born 3 Feb 1911  |  Rosa born 11 Oct 1912
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1881 - 16 Althorpe Street, Leamington  1891 - Scholar
1891 - 35 Shrubland Street, Leamington 1901 - Wagon - Smith - Striker
1901 - 2 Albion Row, Leamington Spa 1911 - Postman
1911 - 55 Primrose Hill Street, Coventry  1914 - Postman in Coventry
1914 - 97 Spon End, Coventry  
   

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