Name
(George) Frederick Russell
21/08/1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/11/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
12938
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2
XXII. B. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
THOUGH LOST TO SIGHT TO MEMORY EVER DEAR
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, St. Peter's Church Memorial, Gustard Wood
Pre War
George Frederick Russell was born in Gustard Wood, Hertfordshire, on 21 Mar 1894 son of William Russell, a Farm Foreman, and Sarah Louisa (nee Wright). His parents were living at Ashbridge Farm, Gustard Wood. He was baptised on 31 Oct 1897, in the Parish Church, Wheathampstead, Herts, with his three siblings Arthur, Ethel and Valentine. Valentine died in 1900, aged 3.
The 1901 Census records George aged 6, living with his parents, Francis W (born 1882), Sarah A (born 1887), Martha (born 1888), Arthur (born 1890), Ethel E (born 1892) and Herbert (born 1901) at Ashridge Farm, Gustard Wood, Herts. Not recorded on this Census but was on the 1891 were Alice Maud (born 1881) and Olive Louisa (born 1884).
The 1911 Census records George aged 16, working as a Domestic Groom, living with his parents, Sarah and brothers, Arthur (21 and a farm labourer), and Herbert (10) in, Gustard Wood, Herts.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war George travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlist, joining the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 12938. On completion of his training (with 3rd or 4th Battalion) he was posted to the 6th (Service) Battalion. George and his Battalion left Southampton on 30 July 1915, aboard the SS Express Queen, arriving at Le Havre, France, around 7.30am, the following morning, 31 July. The Battalion disembarked and marched to Rest Camp No. 5.
In 1916 his Battalion were involved the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge & Pozieres (15 Jul 1916) and on 15 Nov 1916 (Battle of the Ancre) in the attack on Munich Trench. George was originally posted ‘Missing’ following this action but this would revised to Killed in Action on 16 Nov 1916, probably on recovery of his remains.
He is buried in the CWGC Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, Somme, France. His body war recovered from map reference where body found; 57D. R. c. 4. 4. and identification by personnel effects).
Additional Information
His father, Mr. W. Russell, The Woodman, Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THOUGH LOST TO SIGHT TO MEMORY EVER DEAR".
He is recorded as F. Russell on the Gustard Wood and Wheathampstead War Memorials also Frederick on his military records. His effects of £5-14s-1d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £9-10s-0d, went to his father William Russell.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
