Number Private 2768

Battalion 59th Infantry Battalion

Place of Birth Leongatha

Next of Kin His father, William Russell of
"Gowan Braes" Leongatha

Date and place of enlistment Leongatha on 15/7/1915

Physical details on enlistment Age 18, 5'9",
10 stone 9 pounds, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

Religion Presbyterian

Occupation Farmer

Date and place of death

Alan was wounded at the battle of Fromelles on 19/7/1916 and died of wounds on 21/7/1916.

Location of grave or memorial

Alan was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

He was born and breed in Leongatha and attended Leongatha State School and High School.

Military

15/7/15 He enlisted in Leongatha. His parents gave him their permission to enlist as he was 18.
He had been in the cadets and was still serving with them.
27/10/15 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses
24/11/15 He disembarked in Egypt.
He was in the 6th reinforcement of the 23rd Battalion
He transferred to the 59th Battalion in Egypt
He had his photo taken with a group of Leongatha boys in Egypt
23/4/16 Mrs. Russell wrote asking for details of his postal address.
They had received a letter at the beginning of December. The family had sent letters every mail since he left and he has received 1 in 10. He has changed battalions and is not getting mail

19/7/16 He was in the attack on Fromelle
21/7/16 He was taken to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station and died of wounds
21/7/16 He was buried by Rev J T Hall at Bailleul Cemetery
Emma Russell wrote asking for more information about his death as to when and where he died. She also asked where he was buried on 8/8/16 The answer pointed out that they knew no more and that he probably died the day he was wounded.
She received a letter with the details of his burial

On Page 16 of his file is an insurance letter
Mrs. Russell asked for a copy of the official notice of her son�s death
A notice of his death was in The Great Southern Star