The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A G Russell

Anthony Gerald Russell was born on 18th September 1920 in Coulsdon, Surrey and joined the Royal Navy in 1938. He was discovered to be under age and discharged.

He joined the RAFVR in February 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called up at the outbreak of war.

After completing his training Russell arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 1st September 1940. After converting to Hurricanes he joined 43 Squadron, with Sergeants Stoodley and Toogood, at Usworth on 28th September 1940.

Stoodley died in a night-flying accident on 24th October and Toogood died on the 27th, probably through oxygen failure.

The CO of 43 sent Russell on leave and on 10th November he was posted to Tangmere to join 145 Squadron.

Commissioned in April 1942, his subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He later served in the RAFVR.

Russell died in April 2010.