Russell, John

Rifleman

Royal Irish Rifles

Commemorated:

Newtownards and District War Memorial

BIOGRAPHY

The name John Russell (Mark Street) is listed on Newtownards and District War Memorial and in the booklet produced for the Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony held on Saturday 26 May 1934 he is described as a Rifleman in the Royal Irish Rifles.  The organising committee of the day decided to include the names of ex-servicemen who died up to that date from what they considered to be war related causes, whether as a result of wounds or disease.

The 1911 Census records show that there was a Russell family then living in Mark Street Newtownards.  Head of the family was John Russell (aged 31), who was born in Scotland; his wife was Jane Russell (aged 26) who was born in County Down and they had two children, Alma and Andrew.

John and Jane Russell (nee Poole) had at least four children:

Elma Anne (born 20 May 1909 in James Street, Newtownards)

Andrew (born 10 March 1911 in Mark Street, Newtownards)

Florence (born 8 April 1913)

Eveline (born 27 December 1915)

Desk searches and public appeals to date have not confirmed a connection between these family details and the soldier who is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial.