Pilot Officer [Pilot]

William Henry Russell

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of John Henry Russell and of Martha Russell (nee Jones), Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Martyn (1999)
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

While on an exercise, and attempting to return to base with a failing engine, he instead opted to ditch the plane in the estuary of the River Dysynini in Wales.  Losing control on the approach, he crashed into the water. The investigation suggested that having  an artificial left arm may have been the cause of the crash, as the flaps would have had to be held continually and the joystick held between his knees.  He lost his arm when shot down on his last mission over France in 1941. Held a POW for 2 years, he had resumed flying duties after being repatriated in 1943.

{For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn, Vol 2 p. 326]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
40987
Name:
William Henry Russell
Rank: 
Pilot Officer
Additional Rank:
Pilot
Date of Birth:
Not known
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Unit:
Royal New Zealand Air Force, 631 (RAF) Squadron

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Air accident
Date of Death:
28 February 1945
Day of Death:
Wednesday
Age at Death: 
25
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:
Royal New Zealand Air Force

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
Sec. A. Grave 269.
Cemetery Location: 
United Kingdom
William Henry Russell
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