Name
George Arthur Russell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/06/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Officer's Steward 2nd Class
L/7598 (Ch)
Royal Naval Air Service
Seaplane Base (Dunkerque)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUNKIRK TOWN CEMETERY
Plot I, Row D, Grave 8.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Henry Frederick and Catherine (nee STREET) RUSSELL.
His parents married 1881 in the Lewisham, London, district. Catherine died 1928 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 17 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Henry died 1933 in Hillingdon, Middx, aged 78, and was buried 12 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
George was born 10 December 1889 in Leighton Buzzard, Beds, and baptised 25 October 1891 at St Andrew’s, Leighton Buzzard. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 27 January 1896 to 29 July 1904. He was awarded a Bronze medal for four years’ attendance 10 February 1903; a Silver medal for six years’ attendance 1 March 1904.
On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Leighton Buzzard, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a printer’s clerk aged 21, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 26 October 1915 for the duration of hostilities: a clerk, 5’3″ tall, and first served aboard H.M.S. Pembroke I as Officer’s Steward III Class. He was promoted to Officer’s Steward II Class 24 August 1916 while stationed at Dunkirk. He was killed or died as a direct result of enemy bombardment of Dunkirk; his mother of Watford was notified of his death.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for George in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 7 July 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 29 June 1918 and 28 June 1919.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
His brother Henry died 22 Septembe
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
