Edward Ernest Russell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest Edward was the son of Edward Russell and his wife Mary Ann nee Champney. Edward was born in Berkhempstead in about 1849. Mary Ann was born in 1858 (O/N/D Wells) in Somerset, the daughter of Walter Champney, a labourer, and his wife Jane. Mary Ann was baptised at Godney, Somerset, on 31 October 1858. In 1881 Mary Ann (22) was a domestic servant in the household of Albert Armitage, a butcher, and his wife Penelope at 1 Robin Hood Chase, Nottingham. Edward and Mary Ann (31) were probably married on 13 January 1890 at St Mary Magdalene, Paddington, Westminster, London. They had at least three children: Ernest Edward birth registered 1891 (J/F/M Nottingham) and probably baptised at Burnham on Sea, Somerset, on 4 February 1893, Florence May b. 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Sydney birth registered 1895 (J/F/M Nottingham). All three children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 Edward (42) and Mary (32) were living at 32 Caroline Street, Nottingham, with their two-year old son, Ernest, and Sarah Champney (16) who was described as a servant but was probably also one of Mary's relatives. The family had moved to 100 Abbotsford Street, Nottingham, by 1901. Edward and Mary now had three children, Ernest (10), Florence (8) and Sydney (6). In 1911 Edward (62) was living 42 Raglan Street, Nottingham; he was described as a basket hamper maker. Mary was not in the household on the night of the census but as her name appears in the family's notice in the local paper in 1917 on the anniversary of Ernest's death she was probably away from home temporarily. All three children were in the house on the night of the census: Ernest (20) a clerk (with AR Atkey & Sons), Florence (18) a lace joiner, and Sydney (16) a plumber's assistant. Ernest was unmarried at the time of his death but notices in the local paper on the anniversaries of his death mention an 'Edie' who presumably was his girlfriend. The family was still living at 42 Raglan Street at the time of his brother Sydney's death in 1918. Sydney served in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 306949 Private, and died of wounds on 20 July 1918 (Marfaux British Cemetery). His father Edward probably died in 1933 (June Nottingham) aged 84 and his mother Mary Ann probably died in 1937 (December Nottingham) aged 79.
'C' Company, 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Ernest served in the Territorial Force for four years before war broke out. He attested on 19 October 1914 at the age of 23 and 8 months, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 19 October and then to the Imperial Service (1/7th Battalion) on 10 November 1914. He was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 1 February 1916, but to paid lance corporal on 21 February 1916. He received a gunshot wound to the right thigh on 4 July 1916 and died of his wounds at the 20th Casualty Clearing Station on 7 July. He is buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery (grave ref. 1.G.1). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC: Son of Mr. E. Russell, of 42, Raglan St., Nottingham. Ernest was employed by AR Atkey & Co Ltd. The company was established and owned by Sir Albert Atkey (c1867-1947) who opened a cycle repair shop in Canal Street in Nottingham in the mid 1880s. He then established a motor engineers in 1897 and had registered offices in Trent Street and a motorcycle branch at 109 Arkwright Street. The main showroom was on Parliament Street and there were also branches in Mansfield, Derby, Ashbourne and Uttoxeter. (www.gracesguide.co.uk/Albert_Reuben_Atkey) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, Saturday 29 July 1916: ‘Russell. Died of wounds on July 7th at the 20th Casualty Clearing Station, Ernest E Russell, Sherwood Foresters, aged 25 years. For twelve years he was a faithful servant of AR Atkey and Co. Ltd. Trent-street, and this tribute of respect is sorrowingly tendered to his memory by the directors and the whole of the staff.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The same notice appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post, 31 July 1916. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 July 1917: ‘Russell. In loving memory of Ernest E Russell, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds July 7th, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. Mother, father, Sis, Syd, and Edie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 July 1917: ‘Russell. In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. EE Russell, died of wounds July 7th, 1916. Fondly remembered. Edie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 July 1919: ‘Russell. In loving memory of our dear sons, Lance-Cpl. EE Russell, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds July 7th, 1916. Also Pte S Russell (Dan) Duke of Wellington’s, killed in action July 20th, 1918. Ever remembered. Mother, father, Sis, and Edie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 July 1917: ‘Russell. In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. EE Russell, died of wounds July 7th, 1916. Fondly remembered. Edie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 July 1919: ‘Russell. To the memory of Lce.Cpl Ernest, E Russell, Robin Hoods, died of wounds July 7th 1916. From AR Atkey Co., Ltd;, Trent-street. Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Edward was his legatee. Edward's personal possessions were returned to his father in December 1916 and comprised: disc, purse, coins (3½d), metal watch, silver chain, hymn book, note book, tobacco pouch, pipe, photocase, photos, cotton bag.
