South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| 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
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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 Diary15th 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 ObituaryLeamington Spa Courier - March 19, 1915 - Local Casualties 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 |
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| 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 | |
- Brother of George James Russell and Frederick Russell who also fell