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Rifleman William Percy Russ
British Army 1/9th.London Regiment 3rd County of London Brigade
from:Brixton
William Percy Russ was the grandfather that I did not meet. In peacetime he was a water pipe joint maker (a jointer.) He was born on 9 April 1890, at 3, Bartley St., Cornwell Rd., Brixton Hill and returned there after WW1. He served in WW1 as a Rifleman in the 9th London Regiment, (3rd. County of London Brigade.) History off the net. 1/9th (City of London) Battalion TF (Queen Victoria's Rifles). August 1914 : in Westminster. Part of 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division. November 1914 : left the Division and moved to France, landing at (Le) Havre on 5 November 1914. 27 November 1914 : transferred to 13th Brigade, 5th Division. 10 February 1916 : transferred to 169th Brigade, 56th Division. 1 February 1918 : transferred to 175th Brigade, 58th Division, absorbing 2/9th and becoming 9th Bn. He was devastated by his wife (Nellie's) death and volunteered for Front Line duties. He sustained severe injuries which never healed. As he was unable to cope with a young baby, other members of the Russ family (Fred and Ethel) stepped in to look after Helen, then 10 months old. She was then fostered in Reigate by Ethel's parents (the Whiting family.) When she returned to London after Mrs. Whiting, died she lived with Walter and Minnie Russ and their family for 3 years, before moving to stay with some of her Mother's relations. After the war, William lived with his sister, Charlotte, until his death at the age of 44. Mum remembered her dressing his wounds. He died of Pulmonary T.B. at 75, Lambeth Rd. I sent for a copy of his War Record, but sadly, like 60% of the WW1 Army Records they were destroyed during WW2 by bombing, fire or water damage. I did however manage to get some information when I visited the PRO at Kew and a copy of his medal entitlement. Attached is a copy of his War Medal entitlement. He doesn't seem to have got a war pension - in spite of his injuries.
