Pte 24788 William Russell

• Age: 19
• From: Worcester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 31st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

William Russell was born in 1898 in Kempsey, Worcestershire the youngest son of William and Hannah (nee Collins) Russell who were married on the 5th Feb 1885 at the RC Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, Cork. William was a Sergeant in the 21st Worcs. Regt, residing in Jersey, Hannah was of 118 Old Georges Street.

By the time of the 1901 census the family have moved to Liverpool and are living at 16 Ash Grove, West Derby. William’s father is working as a commissionaire messenger. Children living with them are Joseph aged 9, Catherine 5 and William aged 3, all born Norton, Worcester.

The couple have another child called Monica who would have been 7 at this time.

The 1911 census records the family now living at 17 Baker Street, West Derby an eight room house in which they are hosting eight boarders. William senior is aged 52, working as a timekeeper for a printer, Hannah is aged 46 (married 46 years 7 children 4 still alive) and is looking after the house, Monica 17 is working as a cardboard box maker, Catherine 15 and William 13 are at home. The eight boarders are worth listing as they’re all in the entertainment industry so it must have been a lively house! They were Robert Leonard a Dresden born artist, married couple Henry Wright a vocalist, author and composer and his wife Ellen a comedienne, married couple Benjamin Whiteley an acrobatic artiste and his wife Lottie a music hall artiste and their baby son, Thomas Costello a music hall artiste and his assistant son John. Thomas Costello had a lengthy career and has a Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Costello_(music_hall)

His father William has surviving service records. He re-enlisted at the age of 55 with the KLR Reserve on the 16th Sept 1914. He was granted his former rank of Colour Sergeant but was subsequently discharged a few days later despite passing his medical. He was described as "not likely to become an efficient soldier".

William enlisted in Liverpool at the age of 17 and was serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 24788 when he was killed in action on the 31st July 1917 aged 19 during the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

17^th Battalion

On that day, the 89th Brigade was to follow up the attacks of the 21st and 90th Brigades and once their objectives had been taken, to go through them and secure a line of strong points on the German third line. The 89th Brigade line of attack was from the South West corner of Polygon Wood, to the Menin Road. The 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment was on the left of the attack, and the 20th to the right, with the 19th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment, in Divisional Reserve.

The Battalion moved into assembly positions east of Maple Copse between 05.00 and 05.20am, they were heavily shelled and suffered many casualties. At 07.50 they began to advance with the 17^th Battalion on the left, and the 20^th on the right, the whole time under heavy shell fire. On reaching their position which was the Blue Line , troops of both the 21^st and 90^th Brigades were still pinned down  and thus any attempt at further progress were futile.

Despite this they pushed on until their flank was just touching Clapham Junction. They then dug in and awaited the inevitable bombardment which hit them soon after. Despite this, they held onto the ground.  

During the action and their time in the line the 17th Battalion lost three officers and 79 men killed or died of wounds, and four officers and 198 men wounded. They were eventually relieved on the night of 3rd -4th August.

William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

His family placed notices in the Liverpool Echo on the first anniversary of his death:

Russell - In ever loving memory of Private William Russell (Our Willie) K.L.R. who was killed in action July 31st 1917:

It is only a mother who knows the sorrow,

It is only a mother who knows the pain,

Of losing a son she loved so dearly,

But hopes in heaven to meet him again

Deeply mourned by his broken hearted Mother and sister Kitty

And:

Russell – in proud and loving memory of Willie (our Bill) K.L.R. killed in action July 31st 1917. Voluntarily enlisted at 17 years, wounded at 18 years, killed at 19 years (to memory dear) – His Dad.

And also from his sister:

Russell – In proud and loving memory of Will (our Will) K.L.R. killed in action July 31st 1917 – ever remembered by Mona and Jim

Soldiers Effects to father William and pension to mother Hannah.

They had left 17 Baker Street by 1919

We currently have no further information on William Russell, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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