Henry Thornbury Fox Russell

Born at Holyhead on 24 March 1897,  he was the third son of Dr. William Fox Russell (b. about 1864 at County Limerick, Ireland) and Ethel Maria Fox Russell (nee Thornbury) (b. about 1861 at Plyn, County Kerry, Ireland) of 5 Victoria Terrace, Holyhead. His siblings included William Fox Russell (b.1894), Ethel Elizabeth Fox Russell (b.1895), John Fox Russell (b.1893), Thomas Fox Russell (b.1899) and Kenneth and Charles Barrington Fox Russell (twins, b.1903). Educated at St. Bee's from 1909 to 1910 and then at Churcher’s College, Petersfield where he was a member of the Officer's Training Corps. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant on 20 August 1914 and joined the 6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in September 1914 but as he was too young for active service he was transferred to the 2/6th Battalion, RWF. He was promoted Temporary Lieutenant on 22 April 1915 and then rejoined the 6th Battalion in Egypt on 6 January 1916. He went to Gallipoli and landed at Sulva Bay and was there until the evacuation. He went to Egypt and was promoted Lieutenant on 9 May 1916 and Captain on 1 June 1916 and later served in Palestine. On 2 March 1917 he was seconded to the 64th Squardron, RFC. After flight training he was appointed as an Assistant Instructor at Thetford and then went to France with his squadron as a Flight Commander. He had the tail shot off his plane at Bourlon Wood and crashed suffering a severe shaking. Twenty minutes later another plane of his squadron was shot down and he went out and extracted the pilot (Lieutenant J A V Boddy) from his aircraft. The pilot had both legs broken so he carried him to the safety of the British trenches. On 14 December 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for this act (London Gazette 4 February 1918).

MC Citation - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He formed one of a patrol which silenced an enemy battery. He dropped bombs on two of the guns, silenced others with his machine gun and then engaged transport on the road. This operation was carried out under heavy fire and very difficult weather conditions. On another occasion he dropped bombs and fired 300 rounds on enemy trenches from a height of 100 feet. His machine was then hit by a shell and crashed in front of our advanced position. He reached the front line, and while there saw another of our machines brought down. He went to the assistance of the pilot, who was badly wounded, extricated him under heavy fire and brought him to safety. He showed splendid courage and initiative.

When he returned from France he was appointed as an Instructor at Hooton, near Chester. The lands surrounding Hooton Hall, the ancestral home of the Stanley family, had been converted to an aerodrome and specialised in the training of volunteers from Canada and the United States of America. On 18 November 1918, whilst flying a Sopworth Dolphin C4011 aeroplane, he went into a spin at 900 feet and failed to regain control before hitting the ground. It is presumed that he either fainted or became disorientated. In his will he left £184.1s.8d to his father William Fox Russell.

His brother, Captain John Fox Russell, VC, MC, Royal Army Medical Corps, was killed on 6 November 1917 during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

Buried at Holyhead (St Seiriol) Churchyard. Grave is located near the east gate at the east end of the church (now demolished).