Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

David Russell was born on 30th July, 1920 at Condorrat, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to David Russell (who had fought in the Highland Light Infantry in World War 1 on the Somme) and his wife, Stewart Ross Noble. He was their third child and only son, having two older, and eventually two younger sisters. The family emigrated to Victoria, Australia, in 1926 per, "Vedic," living briefly in Coburg with their Scottish sponsors, then moving to a poultry farm and orchard at Croydon Victoria.
In about 1930, they moved to 110 Bedford Road, Ringwood, Victoria, where David’s youngest sister was born. David attended primary and high schools at Ringwood, then was apprenticed as a fitter and turner, at Repco. When young, he had an interest in motor bikes, played brass instruments in the Salvation Army band and was a leader in the local boy scouts’ troop. He joined the Army Reserve or Militia, in 1937, long before the war broke out. As well as his apprenticeship, studying at night at the R.M.I.T. College, he had almost completed an engineering course, but could not wait to join the army, enlisting when he was just three months short of finishing it!
He served in the Second A.I.F. in the Middle East, New Britain, Bougainville, Buka and New Guinea, after enlisting on 2 August 1941, as soon as he was 21. His mother had witheld permission earlier. His service included 92 days’ War Service in Australia, 568 days’ Active Service Outside Australia and 922 days’ Active Service in Australia, with 1582 days’ total Effective Service. He was discharged in Maitland New South Wales, on 30 Nov. 1945. (His War Service Record has been obtained by his family.) He owned a camera and took many photos of his time in the army overseas, leaving something of his experience, for his family to share. When stationed at Rutherford Camp in N.S.W., in 1943, after his time in the Middle East, he met Alma May Beggs and subsequently married her on 18th August 1945, at Maitland, in uniform. When the war was over, he was discharged at Maitland, to begin married life there, living with his wife’s elderly and ailing parents, at rural Woodville.
Initially, he was employed short term at a poultry farm and then at Penders’ Foundry Works at Maitland. In 1946 the couple's first child, a son, died, aged six weeks, with their second child, being born healthy, the next year. By 1950, his wife's parents had both died and David decided to return to his family in Victoria. The family moved there, built a War Service home at Ringwood East and David again worked for Repco, with his father, who had long been employed there. Their third child was born in Victoria.
Settling down after the war, however, took David some time, and he soon decided to try his hand as a share farmer, back in N.S.W., near Raymond Terrace. The move proved to be a disaster, as his wife became ill with polio, shortly after arriving. The epidemic was at its height, and she spent months in hospital, eventually being discharged with life long disabilities. Farming was no longer a viable option, so David again sought work at his trade. He acquired a job, with a house provided, at Scone, in the Upper Hunter Valley, starting in 1953, working with heavy machinery, on the construction of Glenbawn Dam water storage facility. He was promoted to Leading Hand and foreman, working there until the dam was completed. He often spent time after hours, helping non English speaking workers, with government paperwork and English studies. When the dam was completed, in late 1957, many workers were seconded to the Hunter District Water Board, from the Water Commission, to move to Raymond Terrace, in the Lower Hunter Valley. A new Dam was planned at Grahamstown, to increase Newcastle’s water supply, and David Russell was there from the beginning. He worked as a foreman at the Grahamstown site, then at Balickera pumping station, until the whole project’s completion in 1964.
He was offered a transfer to the next dam project, but chose to purchase the house he was occupying and remain in Raymond Terrace, where he enventually ended his days. He found employment in Newcastle, as a sales engineer, for Renold Chains and worked there until it closed. Briefly, he worked for Church Airconditioning, before he was forced into early retirement, by ill health, in 1971.
At age 37, David’s health had begun to decline, as stomach ulcers ruptured, causing the first of many trips to hospital and major surgeries. He also suffered from anxiety issues and what is called P.T.S.D., today. He was able to access a pension and eventually a T.P.I pension, as his health issues were deemed to be as a result of his war service.
In his civilian life, David always tried to give back to his community. He was always a member of his local R.S.L., both at Scone and Raymond Terrace. Anzac Day marches were never missed, with medals polished and suit dry cleaned, as part of his ritual. At Raymond Terrace, he was a leader of the Sea Scouts, played in the town brass band, and when it folded, got permission to take the instruments and form a Scouts’ Band, which was thriving for several years. He was secretary of the Parents’ and Citizens’ Group at the Raymond Terrace High School and also assisted a local primary school to begin a brass band. He was heavily involved in the Civil Defence Group, the forerunner of the S.E.S. and helped to run training programmes and was in the flood boat crew. With his family, he was a member of the local Baptist Church.
In retirement, David enjoyed fishing in the river at Raymond Terrace and holidays at Forster, with friends, for more fishing. His hobbies included photography and woodwork, playing his accordion, and messing about in his shed and garden. He was a man who was always ready to lend a hand and to be a good mate to all he met. He was a very proud grandfather of four, who was pleased that one grandson joined the army and the other, became a fitter and machinist!
David died, at home in his sleep, on 8th December, 2004, aged 84. He had been happily married to his wife for almost 60 years.