RUSSELL, Robert Heathcote
| Service Number: | NX168 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 October 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Colonel |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 12 May 1900 |
| Home Town: | New Lambton, Lake Macquarie Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Machan's Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 5 March 1945, aged 44 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood Cemetery & Crematorium Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia. Panel 1. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Sydney Memorial (Sydney War Cemetery) Rookwood |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement NX168 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Colonel, NX168 |
Help us honour Robert Heathcote Russell's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Doctor Robert Usher Russell and Alice Maude Russell
Husband of Peggy Murchison Russell of Darling Point, NSW
Commemorated on Panel 1 of the Sydney Memorial
RAAF Lockheed Hudson A16-118 (VMZI-FM) crashed into the sea about 400 yards out from Machan's Beach, just north of the mouth of the Barron River near Cairns - the pilot had been warned not to take off due to a cyclone in the area, however they left from Townsville and crashed near Cairns. The aircraft was carrying:
Major General George Alan Vasey VX9 - HQ 7 Australian Division
Major General Rupert Major Downes CMG VD of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant Colonel George Anthony Bertram OBE NX324 of Advanced Land HQ "G" Branch Australian Headquarters
Corporal Edward Lewis James NX4011 of Local Administration Staff Australian Headquarters - Batman to General Vasey
Colonel Robert Heathcote Russell DSO NX168 of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant William Riggall VX80932 of the Australian Army Service Corps - PA to General Vasey
RAAF crew from Number 4 Communications Flight:
Flight Lieutenant John William Newell 404543
Flying Officer Gordon Thomson DFM 400573
Warrant Officer Berrol Samuel Frieze 409400
Flying Officer Donald James Bassett 406465
Leading Aircraftman John Dudley Moore 77157