In memory of

Corporal

Lawrence Elgin Russell DCM

who died on 22 Feb 1945

Service details
  Conflict WWII
  Service Army
  Unit North Nova Scotia Highlanders
  Rank Corporal
  Service number K74053
  Date of death 19450222
  Cause of death killed in action
  Decorations Distinguished Conduct Medal
Narrative history
  K74053 Corporal (North Nova Scotia Highlanders) Lawrence Elgin Russell DCM (b.1921) of Victoria, British Columbia, was KIA 19450222 during operations to clear the west bank of the Rhine and is buried at Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery near Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands. He was the son of George Albert and Laura (Lora?) Elizabeth Margaret Russell. Lawrence was born at Elfros, grew up there and in the Peace River country and was farming when he enlisted at Victoria early in 1941.

Distinguished Conduct Medal recommendation (1944):
Corporal Lawrence Elgin Russell, 15 Platoon, "C" Company, North Nova Scotia Highlanders, on a dyke southeast of Hoofdplaat, on 9 October 1944, showed outstanding bravery and initiative when leaving his section to trap and destroy a party of 18 enemy, then, taking over command of the remnants of his platoon after the Platoon Commander was killed and Sergeant wounded, he successfully repelled a strong enemy counter-attack.
On the morning of 9 October 1944, "C" Company was ordered to move west along the dyke south of Hoofdplaat Polder. Some enemy were seen on a transverse dyke ahead. Corporal Russell quickly seized the initiative and by rushing his section around the corner of the dyke was successful in killing 16 and wounding the other two members of the enemy patrol, quite a number of whom fell by the fire from Corporal Russell's Sten gun.
The company occupied a position further along the dyke and were heavily shelled causing the death of Corporal Russell's Platoon Commander and wounding the Platoon Sergeant. The platoon strength was down to eight when a strong enemy counter-attack formed up on his platoon front. Corporal Russell displayed cool personal courage of the highest order by moving around in the open and reorganizing his fire positions to meet the counter-attack. He then communicated with Company Headquarters to call for artillery fire and returned to encourage his men.
Corporal Russell's quick seizure of the initiative and confident manner in a position of great personal danger, resulted in his few men holding a forward position which later became a base from which to move the battalion forward and was instrumental in the clearing of the Breskens pocket. His display of bravery and leadership was of a very high order.
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Memorial information
  Saskatchewan rural municipality for commemoration 307 - Elfros
  Cemetery or memorial location Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands    

Please click here to view the cemetery/memorial information on Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  Honour roll location(s) ------
  Geo-memorial Russell Lake, Saskatchewan     
  Geo-memorial location 57.4333°N / 105.3333°W
  Geo-memorial NTS map reference 74H6
  Geo-memorial details In the Wheeler River north of Highrock Lake.
Personal information
  Date of birth 19210519
  Place of birth Elfros    
  Date of enlistment 19410124
  Place of enlistment Victoria, British Columbia    
  Residence on enlistment Victoria, British Columbia    
  Occupation farmer
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