Private 2768

59th Infantry Battalion

Leongatha, Victoria

His father, William Russell of "Gowan Braes" Leongatha

Leongatha on 15/7/1915

Age 18, 5'9", 10 stone 9 pounds, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

Presbyterian

Farmer

Alan was wounded at the battle of Fromelles on 19/7/1916 and died of wounds on 21/7/1916.

Alan was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord

He was born and breed in Leongatha and attended Leongatha State School and High School.


15/7/15 He enlisted in Leongatha. His parents gave him their permission to enlist as he was 18.
He had been in the cadets and was still serving with them.
27/10/15 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses
24/11/15 He disembarked in Egypt.
He was in the 6th reinforcement of the 23rd Battalion
He transferred to the 59th Battalion in Egypt
He had his photo taken with a group of Leongatha boys in Egypt
23/4/16 Mrs. Russell wrote asking for details of his postal address.
They had received a letter at the beginning of December. The family had sent letters every mail since he left and he has received 1 in 10. He has changed battalions and is not getting mail

19/7/16 He was in the attack on Fromelle
21/7/16 He was taken to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station and died of wounds
21/7/16 He was buried by Rev J T Hall at Bailleul Cemetery
Emma Russell wrote asking for more information about his death as to when and where he died. She also asked where he was buried on 8/8/16 The answer pointed out that they knew no more and that he probably died the day he was wounded.
She received a letter with the details of his burial

On Page 16 of his file is an insurance letter
Mrs. Russell asked for a copy of the official notice of her son�s death
A notice of his death was in The Great Southern Star