RUSSELL, John C

John Russell was the son of John and Clara Russell of 18 Hill Street, Hasbury and attended Halesowen C of E school. He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards and was possibly a pre-war regular soldier. He went to the 3rd Battalion in the Guards Division which by mid-1915 was in the Guards Division and stationed in Artois. After close involvement at Loos in September they went to the Ypres salient and then in August 1916 to the Somme. Their first attack opened the third phase of the long battle on the 15th September and they attacked towards the village of Lesboeufs from a start line at Delville Wood. The attack began at 6.20 a.m. under a creeping barrage and, despite a swing to the left, the first three objectives were gained by this determined advance. Losses, however, were considerable and included Lance Corporal John Russell who was killed in action on this first day and is buried in the Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs (X P 8). He was 29 years of age and is commemorated on the Halesowen and Halesowen C of E school Memorials.