The first wave went down like wheat before the reaper…
Sgt Walter Downing on the third battle of Ypres
About the Russell brothers
During the trip to Ypres on the weekend of 11th November 2011 (11.11.11) I photographed a local man placing a labelled poppy on the Menin Gate – one of four memorials to the missing in Flanders.
The poppy was inscribed: ‘In Remembrance of Sgt. William Russell 59th Batal. A.I.F 25 Sept. 1917’ and was placed next to his name on the memorial.
Sgt. William Russell’s relatives had previously visited the memorial on a trip from Australia but, because of the distance involved, were only able to make the journey once.
Having spoken to Sgt Russell’s relatives during that visit, the local man has taken it upon himself to place a poppy on the memorial each year on remembrance Day Day – to recall the brother’s sacrifice. William’s brother, Arthur, was killed in action at Fromelles on 20th July 1916 – only one month after arriving from Australia.
More information about the brothers from Kellyville appeared in an article in a Sydney Daily Telegraph article.
Main image: A poppy being placed by the name of Sgt. William Russell on the Benin Gate, Ypres.
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All images © W N BISHOP