Canada, CEF. A First War Group to A/L. Cpl H. Russell, 10th Battalion Infantry, KIA May 1, 1917

A 1914-1915 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 15570 PTE H. RUSSELL. 10/CAN:INF:, original ribbon, light wear, very fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 15570 A.L. CPL. H. RUSSELL. 10-CAN. INF., original ribbon, lovely patina, extremely fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 15570 A.L. CPL. H. RUSSELL. 10-CAN. INF., original ribbon, light gilt wear, remains near extremely fine. 

A Memorial cross, in silver, full size, reverse engraved 15570 A-L-Cpl H. RUSSELL, marked STERLING, missing ribbon, light wear, remains in very fine condition. 

A Canadian 6th Battalion (Western Canada) Cap Badge, white metal mounted to a browning copper base, two lugs on reverse, measures 43.8 mm (w) x 45.0 mm (h), light wear, unmarked, very fine. 

Footnote: Harry Russell was born in September 1882 in Essex. He was employed as a musician, with previous military experience serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment when he enlisted for the Great War on September 28 ,1914. He served in the Brigade Band of the 6th Battalion, as of January 1916.

In December 1916, he was admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital for a gunshot wound to the scalp and thigh. Reports state this was because, as a member of the brigade band with instruments to carry, he did not have a full kit or steel helmet on. As of December 27th, 1916, the Brigade Band no longer existed. He was appointed Lance Corporal in August 1916 with the 10th battalion. 

A note from Sgt McKenzie states record states “Under instructions from Lt. Nuttall on the 14th November 1916, I was placed in charge of fatigue party of 2nd Can. Inf. Bde. Band to redeem old Stokes ammunition contained in a broken down gun emplacement near Uhlan Alley. The party was employed only in carrying. When putting the bombs into sacs I heard one of the bomb fuses burning and told the crew to scatter, the bomb then exploded injuring L/C Russell and Pte. Coles. These men were not wearing steel helmets. In my opinion the men would not have been hit if they had been wearing steel helmets. The bombs were rusty and I think it's possible that owing to corrosion through ruse one of the pins gave way and so released the striker pin. The men were handling the bombs carefully.” 

He was killed in action in France on May 1, 1917. His memorial cross was sent to his wife, Emily Elizabeth Russel, in Essex, England. 

The 6th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), was one of the early infantry battalions raised for service during the First World War. Formed in 1914 as part of Canada's initial response to the war, it drew recruits primarily from Western Canada, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The battalion embarked for England in October 1914 but was later reorganized and redesignated as the Canadian Cavalry Depot to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. Though it did not serve as a distinct fighting unit on the Western Front, the 6th Battalion played a vital role in training and supplying personnel to front-line cavalry units throughout the war.