John Russell, American Lawyer. Bar: Pennsylvania 1922. Chairman Lower Merion Township Planning Commission, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; mem.grad. county Princeton University; board of managers Franklin Institute First lieutenant United States Army, 1918-1919, Advertising Educational Foundation in France. Member Rittenhouse Club, Princeton Club, Merion Cricket Club.
M C.
Background
Russell was born on 5 June 1894 in Pictou, Nova Scotia. His mother was Mrs J. S. Russell. As his mother was then living in Ottawa, and Russell enlisted there, it seems probable Russell was residing with his mother, especially as he was unmarried.
Education
AB, Princeton University, 1916;
Bachelor of Laws, University of Pennsylvania, 1921.
Career
When he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 17 May 1915, he was working as a banker. He claimed no prior military experience. As was customary for Canadian enlistees, he swore allegiance to King George V. Russell became the aircrew on Airco DH.9 bombers of No.
103 Squadron RAF. His first aerial success came at 2030 hours on 4 July 1918, when he was manning the guns in DH.9 number C6150, piloted by Roy Dodds. Russell drove a Pfalz D.III down out of control over La Bassée. On 31 July, while flying with John Stevenson Stubbs as his pilot, Russell was credited with two more victories, as Stubbs drove one enemy aircraft down out of control while Russell similarly accounted for another.
Their citation noted that the odds against them were ten to two. The DFC was also awarded because they returned to the attack in a single plane low level bombing attack at 1,500 feet and bombed a train and lorries while surviving heavy ground fire. Russell was again paired with Stubbs on 25 August 1918.
At 1115 hours, while mounted on DH.9 number D3274, they drove down out of control a Fokker D.VII fighter south of Armentières, France, and destroyed another one southeast of the city. The for Russell and Stubbs was gazetted on 2 November 1918. Little is known of Russell's postwar career.
However, it is known that he was transferred to the Royal Air Force's unemployed list on 24 February 1919. It is also known that he died in 1960.
Achievements
Membership
Chairman Lower Merion Township Planning Commission, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Member graduate council Princeton University. Board managers Franklin Institute 1st lieutenant United States Army, 1918-1919, Advertising Educational Foundation in France.
Member Rittenhouse Club, Princeton Club, Merion Cricket Club.
Connections
Married Barbara Macdonald Frantz, September 15, 1922.