Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Pontifex family had a long-standing tradition of naming their sons Russell, a name passed down through many generations. This legacy symbolized the family's values of strength, honor, and resilience. Russell Bruce Pontifex carried this proud heritage with him, embodying the qualities that the name represented. Russell Bruce Pontifex was taken too soon and too young, a life filled with promises cut short by the ravages of war.
I heard of Russell Pontifex as a child in the 1960’s, he was always described to me by his aunt, Florence Rose Pontifex, as a "dear, dear boy, lost never found”. The Grandson of Russell, a Son of Charles Russell and one of the many Russell Pontifex’s” to carry the name.

As a child in the 60’s , I saw the world with the innocence and naivety of youth. Now that I am older, I fully grasp what I was being told and the devastating loss to his family and those who loved him.

While researching the name Russell Pontifex, I found in his virtual war record, a digitized document with the word "discharged" crossed out and replaced with "deceased" in bold. The finality of that single word struck me deeply, bringing home the true cost of war and the heartbreak it left in its wake. The display on my screen of the deceased, in place of discharged, left an indelible mark on my search for the Pontifex story, making me feel compelled to include it.

Russell was a bright young man, full of promise and potential, who was preparing to study accounting and had already started his career at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The loss of Russell left an inconsolable void in the lives of his family. His mother, father, grandfather, cousins, aunties, and uncles were all devastated by the untimely departure of their cheeky and adventurous 20-year-old.

Russell Bruce Pontifex was a young and spirited Flight Sergeant in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. He was a member of the 75th Squadron, known for his cheerful disposition and unwavering courage, Russell was a valued part of his squadron. His adventurous spirit and determination to make the best of every situation set him apart.

Tragically, on the 5th of January 1945, while strafing enemy targets over the Celebes in the Netherlands East Indies, his Kittyhawk aircraft went into a high-speed stall very close to the ground. Though the aircraft was not actually seen to crash, it was presumed lost in the mangrove swamps. Russell was considered missing, believed dead.

The War Graves Commission representative, Flight Lieutenant PJ Keating, investigating the accident in December 1945, took a sworn statement from Mr. Hermann de Greeff, a Dutchman, who was reported to have just returned from the Tangowanko area, with a piece of the downed aircraft, tail number A29-1016 and various data pertaining to the wreck and the pilot.

From the statement of Mr. de Greef, “the aircraft was almost undamaged, with the body of the pilot being still in the cockpit” The pilot had successfully completed a forced landing. It is a matter of conjecture whether the pilot’s life was ended by enemy troops, or from injuries sustained during the forced landing.

According to Mr de Greeff’s statement, local villagers discovered the wreckage along with the remains of the pilot, they believed the wreckage to have been there for about a month due to the state of the body. The villagers reported their finding to the Japanese. who came along, stripped everything of value from the aircraft, smashed it about and removed the body of the pilot. Flight Sergeant Russell Bruce Pontifex - 422981 was then buried on the beach and his grave was marked with stones and a cross.

Mr. de Greeff’s statement does not clarify if it was the Japanese or the Villages who buried the pilot’s body, either way it was a humane and Christian way to deal with the deceased, however unconfirmed accounts point to a more sinister and complicit tale of the pilot’s demise by the Japanese.

In December 1945, Russell Bruce Pontifex’s remains were exhumed and relocated to Ambon War Cemetery, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia, he is also remembered at the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Nar Nar Goon Commercial Bank of Australia Limited WW2 Roll of Honour, bringing a somber closure for his family and comrades.

The photo of Russell with a crew member shows his handsome features and the camaraderie he shared with his squadron. The photo highlights a hard day at the office for a fellow airman in a flying battle in the Celebes. This heartwarming scene where Russell's arm rests comfortably on his mate's shoulder, radiating a sense of friendship and support. His body language speaks volumes, silently conveying, "You're alright mate. I've got your back." It's a touching expression of friendship, solidarity, mateship and reassurance, capturing a moment of genuine connection and trust, together with an unspoken bond between two mates.

After Russell was reported missing, presumed dead, Russell's squadron leader took time out to write to his father.

"I would like to tell you what a popular and cheerful fellow Russell was. He had tons of courage and limitless enthusiasm and was a real asset to the Squadron. Whatever the conditions were like, he would be the last to complain and was determined to make the best of everything."

Russell’s sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the young lives lost in the pursuit of world peace and freedom during the Second World War.

Russell’s mother bore a heavy burden of losing her beloved son, but her grief was shared by the entire Pontifex family, who remembered him not only for his bravery and service but also for the joy he brought into their lives. His cheeky smile and adventurous spirit were cherished. The loss also deeply affected his aunts and uncles, who recalled the many family gatherings where Russell's laughter and enthusiasm brightened every room. His decision to enlist in the Airforce was a testament to his character, as he chose to serve his country during the tumultuous times of the Second World War. Despite their heartbreak, his family took immense pride in his courage and dedication to the greater good.
Russell's spirit lives on in the memories and stories shared by those who loved him. His legacy is one of strength, courage, and a zest for life that continues to inspire his family and all who hear his story.

Story submitted Loris Durant
Second Cousing Russell Bruce Pontifex