Private 4494

24th Battalion

Mirboo

His mother Mary Ann Patterson of "Burn Bank" Mirboo P O. later 64 Spring St Preston

Melbourne, Victoria 25/11/1915

Age 20 years 1 month, 5'8", 161 pounds, blue eyes and light brown hair

Methodist

Farmer

He went missing in action at Mouquet Farm 25/8/1916

His remains were not found and his name was inscribed on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial

He lived in Mirboo and is related to the Russell family of Leongatha.


He is on the Meeniyan Honour Roll
25/11/15 He Enlisted in Melbourne
He was in the 24th Battalion 11th reinforcement
21/3/16 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Malwa
27/7/16 He moved from the 6th training battalion to France from Rollestone
5/8/16 He was taken on strength to the 2nd Australian Division at Etaples
25/8/16 He was killed in action
He had a Perpetual Insurance Policy
21/3/1923 His mother received his war medals and Victory medal
He has a National Mutual Life Policy
Mr. Sutherland Solicitor of Leongatha wrote for a death certificate
There is a letter stating that :-
Failing the ultimate recovery and identification of the remains of the soldier his name will be inscribed on the Australian Memorial to the missing to be erected in the military cemetery at Villers Bretonneux situated 2 " miles south south east of Corbie"
His cousin Alan Russell died of wounds received at Fromelle