ANZAC Heroes | Great War 1914 – 1918

Bunbury – Wellington District Western Australia

RUSSELL, Alfred Robert Eric MC

RUSSELL, Alfred Robert Eric MC

Full Name: Alfred Robert Eric

RUSSELL

Date of Birth: 06

–

1892

Place of birth: Bunbury

Australia

Occupation: Farmer

Address: Woodville Preston WA

Next of Kin: Mother-F M Russell

Next of Kin Address: Woodville Preston WA

Religion: Church of England

Service Number: 1071

Rank: Lieutenant

Unit/Division: 3rd Aust Pioneer Battalion

Enlistment Date: 1916-01-24

Enlistment Location: Blackboy Hill

WA

Embarkation Port:

Embarkation Date: 1916-06-06

Embarkation Ship:

Disembarkation Port:

Disembarkation Date: 1916-07-26

Locations Served:

Returned: Yes

Discharge Date: 1919-08-29

Cause of Death:

Date of Death:

Place of Death:

Age at Death:

Burial Location:

27/03/1916-Appointed Sergeant Pioneer Corps
15/04/1916-To 3rd Aust pioneers *D* Company
4/08/1916-To Pioneer Training Battalion England
20/08/1916-Rejoined Unit ex Training
26/10/1916-To Pioneer School Reading England
24/11/1916-Proceeded overseas France ex. Southampton
17/01/1917-Promoted to Second Lieutenant
4/03/1917-To School of Instruction Wisques
4/07/1917-Promoted Lieutenant
22/11/1917-Granted Leave England
8/12/1917-Rejoined Unit ex Leave
30/12/1917-To Pioneer School Rouen
14/01/1918-Admitted Red Cross Hospital Rouen ( Bronchitis )
16/02/1918-To Convalescent Home Rouen
10/03/1918-Discharged Base Depot ex. Hospital
16/03/1918-To Aust Infantry Base Depot Rouen
19/04/1918-Rejoined Unit in the field France ex. Rouelles
15/08/1918-Granted Leave England
2/09/1918-Rejoined Unit in the field France
6/09/1918-AWARDED MILITARY CROSS
20/10/1918-To 10th Brigade Signal School
26/10/1918-Rejoined Unit in the field France
15/01/1919-Granted Leave England
5/03/1919-Granted Leave England
15/05/1919-Embarked England for Australia per *Ypiringa*
2/07/1919-Disembarked Australia
29/08/1919-Discharged from Service

 

MILITARY  CROSS

Date  of  Recommendation : 9 September 1918

 

” On the morning of the 6th September 1918, Lieutenant ALFRED ROBERT ERIC RUSSELL was in charge of a Platoon to the west of  TINCOURT, where they were held up for some considerable time by a Nest of Machine Gun Posts, which had inflicted several casualties on the Company.Lieutenant RUSSELL , at once seeing that direct attack was impossible, placed his Lewis Gun in such a position as to harass the enemy, and keep their attention fully occupied.  He then succeeded with the remainder of his men, in getting around to the flank of the position, and himself , led his men in the final rush on the Machine Gun positions.  The energy with which Lieutenant. RUSSELL carried out his attack, caused many of the enemy to beat a hasty retreat, and the position was captured after inflicting severe casualties on the enemy.  Throughout the whole day, Lieut. RUSSELL, through his skilful leadership; his disregard of personal safety, and his cool, courageous conduct, set such a fine example to his men, that the advance was able to be successfully and rapidly continued,  although meeting severe enemy opposition, and under continuous Machine Gun fire “.

 

Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : 3 June 1919

Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : Page  956,  Position  5

Date of London Gazette : 1 February 1919

Location in London Gazette : Page  1735,  Position  10.