Name
Frank Russell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/09/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
TF/3097
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st/7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12D and 13B.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Elizabeth (nee CAPLEHORN) RUSSELL of Watford, and the late Joseph Rabbits RUSSELL.
His parents married 1869 in the Winchester, Hants, district. Joseph died 11 December 1906 in Watford aged 60, and was buried 14 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Elizabeth died 4 January 1932 in Watford aged 84, and was buried 7 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Frank was born 3 December 1892 or 4 March 1893 in Watford, and baptised 15 March 1893 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 8 January 1900 to 11 October 1901, when he transferred to Alexandra School, Watford, from 21 October 1901 to 14 February 1902; then back to Callowland Board School from 4 March 1902 to 8 September 1905, when he won a County Council Scholarship to Watford Grammar School from September 1905 to July 1910. He resided in Watford.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a student teacher with Herts County Council aged 18, he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hornsey, Middx, 12 September 1914 aged 21, 5’11” tall, ex 10th Middlesex Regiment (time expired); next-of-kin his mother of Watford.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 1 September 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“RUSSELL, FRANK. School period: September, 1905, to July, 1910. Private, 7th Middlesex Regiment. Killed in action, :6th September, 1916, after two years' service.”
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Frank in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 14 October 1916; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 15 September 1917 and 14 September 1918.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
