Name
Frederick Russell
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/10/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/9846
Rifle Brigade
12th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials(*1)
Pre War
We believe that the following birth, baptism and census are correct for Frederick, any doubt is due to the fact that later his widow did not name any parents or siblings as living relatives.
He was born Frederick William (as his father) in 1881 in Hastings, Sussex and baptised on 18 November 1881 in St Leonard’ Christ Church. His parents were Frederick William ( a plasterer) and Mary Rachel Russell (Rachel Mary in some records, née Benjamin) who married on 22 April 1877 in St Leonard’s Church in the parish of St Matthew’s Church, East Sussex – probably the same as the above church.
In 1891 the family were living at 42 Alma Villa, Hastings, Sussex. Present were both parents: Frederick (written as 55, believed 35) and Mary (33), with Frederick working as a gardener. Their children were: Alice M (13), Kate M (11). Frederick William (9), Edward J (7), Edith (3), Rose (2) and Lilly L at just one month.
By 1901 the family were living at 10 Edward Terrace, Hollington, Sussex. Present were both parents, with Frederick (senior) now working as a plasterer. Of the above children Alice was absent, Frederick (junior) was now 19 and working as a plasterer’s labourer as was his brother Edward, and Rose was now recorded as Rosey. They had a new sister Nellie J (7).
By 1911 the family had moved again and were now in Hitchin at 1 St John's Path, 5 Barnards Yd, Queen Street. Present were both parents, Frederick (senior) still working as a plasterer. The census recorded they had been married for 33 years with 10 children, of whom 3 had died. None of the children were present. Frederick was recorded as 55 and Mary as 52 – they were still living in Hitchin in the 1921 census at 5 Barnard’s Yard.
We have yet to positively identify Frederick (junior), Hetty Willis or their first born William Herman in the 1911 census, but they married Hettie Willis (b 17/11/1871) on 7 May 1915 in St George in the East: Cannon Street Road, Tower Hamlets, London. His father was named as (also) Frederick and a plasterer.
From Frederick (junior)’s later pension records we know that Frederick and Hettie already had two children born before wedlock, William Herman, born 25 October 1910 (d April 1982) and May Ann Ellen, born 17 March 1913, both had the surname Russell. Mary’s birth was registered in Hitchin, so it seems likely that Frederick and Mary were living in Hitchin by then.
Later Edward John was born 21 August 1915 and baptised on 24 September 1915 on this date their address was recorded as 1 Croft Court, Dean Street, Tower Hamlets.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Hastings and was living in Hitchin, Herts. when he enlisted in Shoreditch, Middx.
Wartime Service
Frederick enlisted as Rifleman S/9846 on 19 April 1915 in Shoreditch. At that time he was 32 years old, a general labourer and living at 25 Spencer Street, St George’s the East, London. He was described as 5’ 2 ¾” tall, 114 lbs with a 34 ½” chest when full expanded and of ‘fair’ development.
It was not a happy service. On the 19 July 1915, while serving with the Rifle Brigade, he absented himself and fraudulently enlisted into the 17th Count of London Regiment. He was tried and forfeited all service prior to 17 August 1915 and was held to be serving in the Rifle Brigade. On the 23 August 1915 he failed to comply with an order and was given 14-days confined to barracks.
Then there is a second note, referring to a trial on 15 September 1915, but it is unclear if this refers to a second absence as it is difficult to read and both entries were signed at different times by the same Major. In this it appears that he was sentenced to 28? days confined to barracks? and had been held in the Guard Room since 29 August.
Frederick’s youngest son Edward John Russell was born on 21 August 1915 , perhaps the above behaviour was related to this.
He was then tried on 2 December 1915 by District Court Martial in two counts; 1st Absenting himself without leave and 2nd When in lawful custody “Attempting to escape” for this he was sentenced to six months detention. This too was confirmed the following day, and he served most of this sentence, however 30-days were remitted on 4 May 1916, and he was returned to duty and posted to the 12th Rifle Brigade on 24 May 1916.
He embarked for France on 26 May 1916, landing at Etaples the following day joining the 20th Infantry Base Depot there. He joined the 12th Rifle Brigade on 4 June and was posted to “B” Company.
He was arrested on 1 August for “When on active service disobeying a lawful command given by No. 2672 Sgt. Jarvis. H. A. His superior officer on 1st Aug 1916.” He was tried by Field general Courts Martial on the 10th, found guilty and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour. The sentence was confirmed by the G.O.C (General Officer Commanding) 60th Brigade the following day. However, this was suspended on 29th August, just over five weeks later, he was listed as missing in action on 7 October 1916 and later “accepted as having died (on or since) 7.10.16”.
His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial in France.
During this period, on 11 September 1916, his youngest son Edward John Russell died in East London Hospital at just 12 months old. At this time his wife was living at 25 Spencer Street, St George’s the East, London.
Additional Information
After his death £1 3s 6d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Harriett, on 20 June 1918 for her and their children. Later a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her on 17 October 1919. By then she was Harriett Templar 83 Queen Street, Hitchin
His pension cards record Hettie Russell as his widow and his next of kin, living at 67 Sheridan Street, Commercial Road, Hitchin. It also records their children, born before wedlock, as William Herman (b 25/10/1910, d 1982 in Hitchin) and May Ann Ellen (b 17/3/1913). She was awarded a pension of 24s 2d a week from 11 June 1917 and a grant was authorised on 14 August 1917.
Hettie remarried, marrying William H Templar on 19 August 1918. She completed a ‘Statement of living dependants form’ for the Army, which was witnessed by a Hitchin vicar on 22 May 1919. She listed herself and the two living children, but in respect of Frederick, in respect of parents, brothers and sister, she listed ‘None’. She, her children and new husband were living at 83 Queen Street Hitchin.
Templar (late Russell)
His widow signed for his British War medal on 9 March 1921 and his Victory Medal on 20 August 1921
*1 The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Hastings and was living in Hitchin, Herts. He certainly had proven connections with Hitchin in that it seems that his parents moved there before the 1911 census, his second child was born there, and his widow was living there in 1917 and was still there after her remarriage in 1918.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
