Robert Russell

ROBERT RUSSELL
Robert Russell Reg. No. 5202 was born in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. His brother was listed as his next of kin; he resided at Old Road East Grinstead. He was employed as a labourer in Adelaide.
He was 35 years of age when he enlisted into the 10th Infantry Battalion in South Australia. He had, according to his enlistment statement, already served 12 years in the British Royal Navy. He sailed out of Adelaide on HMAT Shropshire on 25th March 1916. On November 11th 1918 he was attached to the 48th Infantry Battalion in France.
After an attack on the Hindenburg Line, near Reincourt, on 14th April 1917 he was reported as missing. After an aborted attack 48 hours earlier, the enemy was waiting for a new attack to occur and moved men and artillery into position. They had watched the retreat in the morning light, 2 days before, and were aware it was a substantial force. When the second attack came they were ready, and inflicted a terrible toll. As well as many casualties they took over 1,000 prisoners of war on that one day. Robert Russell was later to be identified as one of those prisoners.
Mr. W H Stratton from the Reservoir Hotel in Campbelltown, a friend of Robert Russell, requested if Red Cross could discover what they could in regard to his friend. They advised him Robert was a prisoner of war in Limburg, Germany. Two weeks after the Armistice, November 1918, Robert was repatriated to England. He then returned to Australia via HMAT Ulysses, after having served 3 years 125 days, and 2 years 350 days overseas.

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