Sir Charles Russell
Brevet, -Major. 3rd Battalion. Grenadier Guards
- Register No.
- 1087 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Brevet (register: Brevet Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- -Major. 3rd Battalion. Grenadier Guards all Grenadier Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 5 November 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- the 24th February, 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- 22nd June 1826 at Sothern Hill, Reading, Berkshire
- Died
- 13th April 1883 at Reading, Berkshire
- Memorial / grave
- , interred in Family Vault in All Saints Church, Swallowfield
- Medal held by
- the Guards Regimental Headquarters
Digest of citation
At the Battle of Inkerman, in the Crimea, on 5th November 1854, Brevet-Major Sir Charles Russell offered to go and dislodge a party of Russians if anyone would accompany him. The volunteers included Sergeant Norman, Private Anthony Palmer and Private Bailey. Their example was soon followed. Sir Charles killed the first Russian, who barred his way, with a pistol. They met with heavy resistance, but their skill with a bayonet brought success. During the action, Private Bailey was killed. Major Russell fought bravely, and in single combat, with a Russian, wrenched the rifle from his grasp
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RUSSELL, Sir Charles. (reg No. 1087).
Brevet-Major. 3rd Battalion. Grenadier Guards.
London Gazetted on the 24th February, 1857.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Guards Regimental Headquarters.
Born on 22nd June 1826 at Sothern Hill, Reading, Berkshire.
Died on 13th April 1883 at Reading, Berkshire.
Memorial, interred in Family Vault in All Saints Church, Swallowfield.
Digest of Citation reads: At the Battle of Inkerman, in the Crimea, on 5th November 1854, Brevet-Major Sir Charles Russell offered to go and dislodge a party of Russians if anyone would accompany him. The volunteers included Sergeant Norman, Private Anthony Palmer and Private Bailey. Their example was soon followed. Sir Charles killed the first Russian, who barred his way, with a pistol. They met with heavy resistance, but their skill with a bayonet brought success. During the action, Private Bailey was killed. Major Russell fought bravely, and in single combat, with a Russian, wrenched the rifle from his grasp.
Additional information:. Lieutenant- Colonel Sir Charles Russell, was the second surviving son of Sir Henry (Bart) and Marie-Clotilde (née Mottet de la Fontaine) Russell. He was educated at Eton, joined the 35th Regiment in Ireland and served with it in Mauritius. His commission, in the Grenadier Guards, was given to him by the Duke of Wellington, a personal friend of his father's. He saw action at the Battle of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Private Bailey, who was killed in the action, could possibly also have been awarded the VC, like Private Anthony Palmer. The Cross was not presented posthumously at that time.
Additional information
Lieutenant- Colonel Sir Charles Russell, was the second surviving son of Sir Henry (Bart) and Marie-Clotilde (née Mottet de la Fontaine) Russell. He was educated at Eton, joined the 35th Regiment in Ireland and served with it in Mauritius. His commission, in the Grenadier Guards, was given to him by the Duke of Wellington, a personal friend of his father's. He saw action at the Battle of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Private Bailey, who was killed in the action, could possibly also have been awarded the VC, like Private Anthony Palmer. The Cross was not presented posthumously at that time.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: , interred in Family Vault in All Saints Church, Swallowfield
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