John Russell (aviator)

Second Lieutenant John Bernard Russell was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]

John Bernard Russell
Born	5 June 1894 Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died	1960
Allegiance	George V of the British Empire
Service/branch	Engineers; aviation
Rank	Second lieutenant
Unit	No. 103 Squadron RAF
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Early life and enlistment

Russell was born on 5 June 1894 in Pictou, Nova Scotia; his mother was Mrs J. S. Russell. When he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 17 May 1915, he was working as a banker. 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. He claimed no prior military experience. As was customary for Canadian enlistees, he swore allegiance to King George V.[2]

First World War aerial service

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.[1]

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 Distinguished Flying Cross 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.[1]

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.[1]

The Distinguished Flying Cross for Russell and Stubbs was gazetted on 2 November 1918.[3]

Post War career

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.[4] It is also known that he died in 1960.[1]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Confirmed victories are numbered and listed chronologically. Unconfirmed victories are denoted by "u/c" and may or may not be listed by date.

No.	Date/time	Aircraft	Foe	Result	Location	Notes
1	4 July 1918 @ 20:30 hours	Airco DH.9 serial number C6150	Pfalz D.III	Driven down out of control	La Bassée	Pilot: Roy Dodds
2	31 July 1918	Airco DH.9	Enemy aircraft	Driven down out of control		Pilot: John Stubbs
3	31 July 1918	Airco DH.9	Enemy aircraft	Driven down out of control		Pilot: John Stubbs
4	25 August 1918 @ 11:15 hours	Airco DH.9	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	South of Armentières	Pilot: John Stubbs
5	25 August 1918 @ 11:15 hours	Airco DH.9	Fokker D.VII	Destroyed	Southeast of Armentières	Pilot: John Stubbs[5]

Sources of information

1. "John Russell". theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
2. http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/attestation/russell.php Retrieved 1 April 2012.
3. Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918, p. 12976.
4. The London Gazette, 14 October 1919, p. 12568.
5. The Aerodrome http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/russell.php.

References