Distinguished Conduct Medal : Sergeant A Russell, Scots Guards

Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal (VR). Engraved around edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Awarded to Albert Russell, later known as Albert Cooke-Russell. Born in 1873 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, the son of Thomas and Ann Russell. He worked as a packer, while serving in the militia with the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. In 1892 Russell enlisted as a private in the 2nd battalion of the Scots Guards. In September 1895 he was transferred to the Egyptian Army, serving as an instructor in the 13th Sudanese Battalion. Russell was mentioned in despatches during the Battle of Ferkeh, part of the 1896 Dongola Expedition into Sudan. In January 1898 Russell was promoted to sergeant for gallantry in the field while serving in the Sudan Expedition. Russell received a second Mention in Despatches during the early stages of that campaign. On 2 September 1898 the British-Egyptian Army decisively defeated the forces of the Mahdi in Sudan during the battle of Omdurman. For his role in the battle Russell was recommended by General Kitchener for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

In October 1899 Russell was transferred to the 1st battalion of the Scots Guards. Two weeks later the battalion was sent to South Africa. The Battalion was in action almost as soon as it arrived, taking part in many of the wars earliest battles at Belmont, Modder River and Magersfontein. Russell was present with the battalion during the decisive battle of Paardeberg and continued to serve with it until he was transferred from Pretoria to the Queensland Defence Force in April 1901.

While in Queensland Russell was made a staff instructor with the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. While there he met Mary Ann Thorne, who he married in Townsville in April 1902. The couple had the first of four children in April 1903. In July 1904 Russell transferred back to the Scots Guards and returned to England. He remained with the unit until January 1906 when he was discharged. Russell returned to Australia where he was made a captain and training instructor in Hornsby, New South Wales.

In April 1916 Russell enlisted in the 36th Battalion of the AIF as a major. Russell served for six months with the 3rd Australian Divisional Training Battalion at Lark Hill until he was returned to the 36th Battalion in May 1917. He served as the battalion’s Intelligence Officer until he was invalided back to Australia in November 1917 suffering from rheumatism. After the war Russell worked as physical education teacher and later an orderly at the Darlinghurst Criminal Court. He died in 1957.

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