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{{Infobox military person
⚫
[[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]] '''Nelson Russell''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|CB|DSO|MC}} (b. 7 July 1897, [[Lisburn]], Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland – d. 20 October 1971, [[Newcastle, County Down]], Northern Ireland) was a British soldier who served in both [[world war]]s.<ref name="Officers of the British Army">{{cite web|url=https://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_R03.html#Russell_N|title=British Army officer histories|publisher=Unit Histories|access-date=2022-04-04}}</ref>{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}}
| name =
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = 7 July 1897
| death_date = 20 October 1971 (aged 74)
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =
| birth_place = [[Lisburn]], [[County Antrim]], Northern Ireland
| death_place = [[Newcastle, County Down]], Northern Ireland
| nickname =
| allegiance ={{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch ={{army|United Kingdom}}
| serviceyears =1914–1950
| servicenumber =9593
| rank =[[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]]
| unit =[[Royal Irish Fusiliers]]
| commands =6th Battalion, [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]]<br>[[38th (Irish) Brigade|38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade]]<br>[[Belfast Sub-Area]]<br>[[107th (Ulster) Brigade|Ulster Independent Infantry Brigade Group]]
| battles = [[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]
| awards = [[Order of the Bath|Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br>[[Mentioned in dispatches]] (2)
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
⚫
[[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]] '''Nelson Russell''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|CB|DSO|MC}} (b. 7 July 1897 − 20 October 1971) was a [[British Army]] officer who served in both [[world war]]s.<ref name="Officers of the British Army">{{cite web|url=https://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_R03.html#Russell_N|title=British Army officer histories|publisher=Unit Histories|access-date=2022-04-04}}</ref>{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}}


Russell's father was Nelson Russell of Lisburn. He was educated at [[Campbell College]], Belfast. In 1926, he married Edith, also from Lisburn; the couple had no children.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
Russell's father was Nelson Russell of Lisburn. He was educated at [[Campbell College]], Belfast. In 1926, he married Edith, also from Lisburn; the couple had no children.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
Line 8: Line 31:
In April 1914, Russell was mobilised as a reservist and joined the [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]] as a [[second lieutenant]]. He was attached to the 1st Battalion for service in France and Belgium between July 1915 and July 1916 – winning the [[Military Cross]] – and subsequently became [[adjutant]] at 10 Brigade Bombing School.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
In April 1914, Russell was mobilised as a reservist and joined the [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]] as a [[second lieutenant]]. He was attached to the 1st Battalion for service in France and Belgium between July 1915 and July 1916 – winning the [[Military Cross]] – and subsequently became [[adjutant]] at 10 Brigade Bombing School.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />


After the end of the [[World War I|First World War]], Russell was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] into The Royal Irish Fusiliers as a 2nd lieutenant. During the inter-war period, he served in Egypt, India, Sudan, and Palestine.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} In 1937, he was promoted to [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] and served as a [[Brigade Major]], until the end of March 1940. After briefly commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} and an appointment as a staff officer (GSO2), he was promoted to the acting rank of brigadier on 1 July 1942<ref name="Generals of World War II">{{cite web|url=https://generals.dk/general/Russell/Nelson/Great_Britain.html|title=Biography of Brigadier Nelson Russell (1897−1971), Great Britain|website=generals.dk}}</ref> and took command of the [[38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade]], commanding it in Britain,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} North Africa,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129−135}} Sicily,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=135−136}} and Italy from July 1942 until February 1944.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129−138} That month saw Russell being declared unfit to continue to command the brigade, relinquishing control to Brigadier [[Thomas Scott (British Army officer)|Thomas "Pat" Scott]], also of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=138}} During the period in North Africa from 1942−1943, he also took command of the ad hoc [[Y Division (United Kingdom)|Y Division]] during the fighting in North Africa.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=131−134}} He was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] in 1943, during the [[Tunisian campaign]],{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=135}} and was subsequently [[mentioned in despatches]] whilst in Sicily and Italy.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
After the end of the [[World War I|First World War]], Russell was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] into The Royal Irish Fusiliers as a 2nd lieutenant. During the inter-war period, he served in Egypt, India, Sudan, and Palestine.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} In 1937, he was promoted to [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] and served as a [[Brigade Major]], until the end of March 1940. After briefly commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} and an appointment as a staff officer (GSO2), he was promoted to the acting rank of brigadier on 1 July 1942<ref name="Generals of World War II">{{cite web|url=https://generals.dk/general/Russell/Nelson/Great_Britain.html|title=Biography of Brigadier Nelson Russell (1897−1971), Great Britain|website=generals.dk}}</ref> and took command of the [[38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade]], commanding it in Britain,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129}} North Africa,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129−135}} Sicily,{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=135−136}} and Italy from July 1942 until February 1944.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=129−138}} That month saw Russell being declared unfit to continue to command the brigade, relinquishing control to Brigadier [[Thomas Scott (British Army officer)|Thomas "Pat" Scott]], also of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=138}} During the period in North Africa from 1942−1943, he also took command of the ad hoc [[Y Division (United Kingdom)|Y Division]] during the fighting in North Africa.{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=131−134}} He was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] in 1943, during the [[Tunisian campaign]],{{sfn|Doherty|2004|p=135}} and was subsequently [[mentioned in despatches]] whilst in Sicily and Italy.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
For a short period after the war, Russell was Commander, Belfast Sub-Area, and then Commander of the Belfast Garrison. He was then appointed Commander, Ulster Independent Infantry Brigade Group from 1947 to 1950. He was finally promoted to brigadier (previously an acting or temporary rank) in 1950, shortly before his retirement on 4 August 1950.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" /><ref name="Generals of World War II"/>
For a short period after the war, Russell was Commander, Belfast Sub-Area, and then Commander of the Belfast Garrison. He was then appointed Commander, Ulster Independent Infantry Brigade Group from 1947 to 1950. He was finally promoted to brigadier (previously an acting or temporary rank) in 1950, shortly before his retirement on 4 August 1950.<ref name="Officers of the British Army" /><ref name="Generals of World War II"/>
Line 15: Line 38:


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
* Companion of the [[Order of the Bath]] (9 June 1949)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" /><ref>{{cite web| first= | last= | title=Supplement to the London Gazette | url=https://www.london-gazette.co.uk/London/issue/38628/supplement/2795/data.pdf | accessdate=11 June 2014}}</ref>
* Companion of the [[Order of the Bath]] (9 June 1949)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" /><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38628|supp=y|page=2795|date=3 June 1949|supp=y}}</ref>
* [[Distinguished Service Order]] (5 August 1943)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36120|supp=y|page=3522|date=3 August 1943}}</ref><ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
* [[Distinguished Service Order]] (5 August 1943)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36120|page=3522|date=3 August 1943}}</ref><ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
* [[Military Cross]] (16 May 1916)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
* [[Military Cross]] (16 May 1916)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
* [[Mentioned in Despatches]] twice (23 March 1944 and 24 August 1944)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />
* [[Mentioned in Despatches]] twice (23 March 1944 and 24 August 1944)<ref name="Officers of the British Army" />

Revision as of 02:13, 6 April 2022

Born7 July 1897
Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Died20 October 1971 (aged 74)
Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1914–1950
RankBrigadier
Service number9593
UnitRoyal Irish Fusiliers
Commands6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade
Belfast Sub-Area
Ulster Independent Infantry Brigade Group
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in dispatches (2)

Brigadier Nelson Russell CB DSO MC (b. 7 July 1897 − 20 October 1971) was a British Army officer who served in both world wars.[1][2]

Russell's father was Nelson Russell of Lisburn. He was educated at Campbell College, Belfast. In 1926, he married Edith, also from Lisburn; the couple had no children.[1]

Russell represented Ireland at both cricket and field hockey. He also played for Lisburn Cricket Club and Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.[1][3]

Military career

In April 1914, Russell was mobilised as a reservist and joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers as a second lieutenant. He was attached to the 1st Battalion for service in France and Belgium between July 1915 and July 1916 – winning the Military Cross – and subsequently became adjutant at 10 Brigade Bombing School.[1]

After the end of the First World War, Russell was commissioned into The Royal Irish Fusiliers as a 2nd lieutenant. During the inter-war period, he served in Egypt, India, Sudan, and Palestine.[2] In 1937, he was promoted to major and served as a Brigade Major, until the end of March 1940. After briefly commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers[2] and an appointment as a staff officer (GSO2), he was promoted to the acting rank of brigadier on 1 July 1942[4] and took command of the 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade, commanding it in Britain,[2] North Africa,[5] Sicily,[6] and Italy from July 1942 until February 1944.[7] That month saw Russell being declared unfit to continue to command the brigade, relinquishing control to Brigadier Thomas "Pat" Scott, also of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.[8] During the period in North Africa from 1942−1943, he also took command of the ad hoc Y Division during the fighting in North Africa.[9] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1943, during the Tunisian campaign,[10] and was subsequently mentioned in despatches whilst in Sicily and Italy.[1]

For a short period after the war, Russell was Commander, Belfast Sub-Area, and then Commander of the Belfast Garrison. He was then appointed Commander, Ulster Independent Infantry Brigade Group from 1947 to 1950. He was finally promoted to brigadier (previously an acting or temporary rank) in 1950, shortly before his retirement on 4 August 1950.[1][4]

He was Serjeant-at-Arms to the Parliament of Northern Ireland between 1951 and 1959.

Awards and decorations

Citation for Military Cross:

For conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches. He was the first man into the trench, where he shot an officer, and finally skilfully withdrew after doing all the damage possible.[13][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "British Army officer histories". Unit Histories. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  2. ^ a b c d Doherty 2004, p. 129.
  3. ^ "A History Of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club 1901–1976 (Part 2)". lisburn.com. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Biography of Brigadier Nelson Russell (1897−1971), Great Britain". generals.dk.
  5. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 129−135.
  6. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 135−136.
  7. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 129−138.
  8. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 138.
  9. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 131−134.
  10. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 135.
  11. ^ "No. 38628". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1949. p. 2795.
  12. ^ "No. 36120". The London Gazette. 3 August 1943. p. 3522.
  13. ^ "No. 29584". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 May 1916. p. 4928.

Bibliography

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