Born in 1896 at Hackney, son of Joseph (Postman) and Mary Hannah Russell. 1901: With his family at 80 Malfa Road Leyton. 1911: A Telegraph Messenger with his family at 44 Sunnyside Road, Leyton. The family home was later at 79 Colchester Road, Leyton. In due course Joseph Russell became a Postman like his father, and was allocated to the South Woodford Sorting Office.
He enlisted in the 8th Battalion London Regiment, an obvious choice, this being the Post Office Rifles.
The Battalion was part of 140 Brigade, 47 London Division, and in April 1917 it was located in the Ypres theatre of operations. Although the Battalion was not participating in any major engagement, Joseph Russell was one of three men who were Killed in Action that day.
He is also commemorated on the Great War Memorial, Eastern District Office 206 Whitechapel Road E1.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com