5498 Private
1st Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division
Age: 38
Date of Death: 23.10.14
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 38 and 40
Family history: Son of John and Isabella Russell, Burnside Terrace, Camelon. Husband of Cecillia Montgomery Gibson (formerly Russell) 150 Gordon Street, Camelon. They had three children.
The action that lead to his death
The battalion was forming a line between Bixschoote and Langemarck with the Northampton's on the right, Coldstream Guards in the centre and the Camerons on the left. They were involved in the only British attack on 23 October to restore the line around Kortekeer Cabaret, they had been fighting a defensive battle with the advancing Germans. The Camerons were not involved in the morning attack however, after a fire fight of some hours they went forward around midday an advance that swept the Germans from their positions and enabled the British to occupy their old positions. The Germans recovered and began to sniping the British trenches as well as bringing artillery fire to bear. With casualties mounting it was decided to withdraw and this was carried out at dusk.
(Linesman Map)
The War Diary recorded the casualties as:
Medals Awarded:
1914 Star & Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal
