Gerald William Russell
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 Jan 1932 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 12 May 1953 |
| Place of Death | Korea |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years old |
| Description |
5'11½ (1.79m) tall ; 156lbs 70.76 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar below right knee |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jull street, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Joseph Russell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5400269 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 Jan 1952 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 22 Oct 1952 ‒ 24 Oct 1952 |
| Transport Details | plane Sydney to Iwakuni, Japan |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Feb 1953 ‒ 22 Feb 1953 |
| Transport Details | unknown ship Kure, Japan to Korea |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Killed in Action 12 May 1953 |
| Monument(s) | Gerald Russell Park, Wungong located in park named after him. |
| Australian War Memorial | Australian War Memorial Panel 2 |
| Medals |
Korea Medal United Nations Service Medal for Korea Australian Service Medal 1945-75 |
Contents
[hide]Pre War
Prior to enlisting Gerald had at one time been employed as a garage attendant at Cootes Garage, Maddington
War Service
Gerald enlisted on 29 Jan 1952 for two years in the Special Force established to provide Australia's commitment to the Korean War. On 19 Feb 1952 he had arrived at the No. 6 Recruit Training Company. Following training, on 29 May 1952 Gerald was posted to the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR) and graded as a Private, 1 Star.
On 30 Sep 1952 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), but almost immediately he was transferred to the Reinforcements Special Forces in Japan. To join them on 22 Oct 1952 Gerald emplaned in Sydney for Iwakuni in Japan.
From 17 Nov until 13 Dec 1952 Gerald attended the MMG Course No. 10/52 at No. 1 Commonwealth Division Battle School, and on completion of the course he was recommended to become a No.2 on the gun, with potential to become the No. 1. From 3 - 16 Jan 1953 Gerald was a patient of the British Commonwealth General Hospital. Returned to his unit, on 21 Feb 1953 he emplaned in Japan for Korea where he joined the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) the next day.
Gerald was killed in Action on 12 May 1953, and buried on 18 May 1953 at 11:00am in Plot 36, Row 2, Grave No 2895 of the UN Military Cemetery in Tanggok, Korea. At the time 3RAR was manning a static trench line along the 38th Parrallel.
Notes
Gerald had enlisted, with parental permission, using the name he had been raised with 'Russell', his Step-father's name. In February 1952 it was discovered that his correct surname was Blanche.