大象传媒

This is the story of my uncle, Russell Harrington. Who answered the call of his country, served from 1939 and who on 7th September 1944 whilst on active sevice in France was killed, so near to the war in Europes end.
He was just like many others, a soldier doing his bit for King and country, but thanks to this site I can put a face to a statistic and his story will never be forgotten.
It is a story of not just the soldier, but of the family he left behind. They too were affected by the war. It tells of his wife, his mother, his brothers and sisters and his baby daughter.
His story starts in 1939, in Folkestone Kent, a small fishing town on the southeast coast, no more than around 20 miles from the French coast.
At this time Russell was a milk and bread sales deliveryman for the co-op. Part of his round covered the harbour area of the town. When doing this part of the round, Russell would look across the Channel and wonder whether, now that Britain was at war with Germany,just how bad things would become.
One day after much thought Russell came to a big decision, if there was to be a war he would join up now in tha r.a.s.c. And so he went home to face his mum Gladys and as he expected she was not at all happy, but soon she realized how determind he was and knowing the situation her country was in, she new that sooner or later he would go.
So that year 1939, Russell enlisted in the r.a.s.c as a driver.He underwent his training and became a part of Britains army.
It was in that same year that dressed in his army uniform, the proud young soldier, Russell,Edward, Frank, Harrington, married his long time girlfriend, Doris, Olive, Maud, Hobbs. They married at Elham registry office, Kent, on 21st December 1939, had a couple of days together before Russell had to return to his unit.
Russells first experience of real war was as part of the British force that was in france in 1940.The British army at that time ,were no match for the well organized german army and were in full retreat. He like thousands of other British troops, was ordered to make his way to the Dunkirk area. The roads were so congested with troops and civilians trying to get away, that it was quicker to walk. Russell was ordered to burn his truck and to make his way there as best he could. Russell managed to get a lift part of the way by goods train and then it was a matter of foot slog the rest of the way. When Russell did get to dunkirk, he like many other thousands of troops, had to line up on the beach and take their turn waiting for a boat to take them back to England.
He did get back to England and one day he would be one of the troops returning to France from the Normandy beaches. After Dunkirk and before the allies invasion of Normandy, Russells movements are unclear, but we do know he was still on active service.We do know during this period he became a motorcycle despatch rider and he also gained promotion to lance corporal.
In 1944 Russell became a father.Russell and Doff decided to call their baby Daughter Dawn and during these years of great despair becoming a father must have brought great joy to Russell and Doff, we also know Russell did see Dawn at least 2 or 3 times before his death.
And so in June 1944 after a massive build up the allies returned to France at the beaches of Normandy.At some period during those landings Russell also returned , we also know motorcycle despatch riders were much used, not only for communications but also for convoy duties. In the weeks that followed Normandy, the allies slowly pushed the Germans back. A large part of the German army was squeezed into an area known as the Falaise gap and it was during the end period of this battle that Russell was killed.
The news of the his death was sent by telegram.I can always remember my nan saying how just the sight of them was enough to inform you heartbreaking news was arriving,everybody hoped they would never see one. Unfortunately Doff received a telegram and it was his heartbroken young wife and mother who were left to try and comfort each other.
Doff and Gladys sent a letter to Russells unit, to enquire of the circumstances of his death and one of his officers very kindly replied.
His letter is as follows
" All the men who have any knowledge of the incident have been questioned and as far as possible this is the account of the happenings.
The battle of the Falaise gap had not quite finished and we had been requested to send out cover for the then, very extended covoys.
On the evening of the 7th September, Russell was sent out on his motorcycle to contact one of these convoys,
some time during that evening he was in collision with a F.F.I vehicle, these being free French underground forces. He was taken to an American hospital but died there that evening.
Russell was buried at Clichey cemetary, just outside Paris".
His mother Gladys and wife Doff made all efforts to have his body returned , they even had a headstone put on his fathers grave at Hawkinge cemetary Kent, so he could lie there, but in the end it was to no avail as they were refused permission to bring him home.
The headstone has not been entirely in vain as members of the family visit it to pay their respects.As a family we have also visited his grave in France.
In 1950 his sister Jean gave birth to a son and in memory of her lost brother she named him Russell.
Now, as her son and his nephew and with the help of his daughter Dawn, I write his story . I carry his name with great pride and honour.
It is now 60 years since his death and as a family, we shall ensure that our children know of their ancestors story and his ultimate sacrifice that we all may have freedom.

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