Guy Russell

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Admiral Sir Guy Herbrand Edward Russell GBE, KCB, DSO (14 April 1898 – 25 September 1975) was a British naval commander.

He was the second son of Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill, and his wife Margaret. Educated at Stonehouse School, Russell entered the Royal Navy in 1911 and attended Royal Naval College, Osborne and Dartmouth. During World War I, he went to sea as a midshipman aboard HMS Implacable, which supported the Dardanelles landings. He would later serve aboard Royal Oak during the Battle of Jutland, and was mentioned in despatches for his war service.

Russell saw service on a variety of ships, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, shore training establishments, and on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean, before his relatively early promotion to commander in 1931. This well-rounded record was combined with a reputation for adaptiveness and innovation. He completed the naval staff course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich in 1931 and became executive officer of Queen Elizabeth, flagship of the Mediterranean fleet under Sir William Fisher. Russell continued to excel in this position, and was promoted to captain in 1936. After further studies at the Imperial Defence College, Russell received a number of staff appointments. During this period, he married Hon. (Helen) Elizabeth Blades, daughter of Rowland Blades, 1st Baron Ebbisham, in 1939. They had two sons and a daughter:


On the outbreak of World War II, Russell first commanded the net layer Protector, and then the cruiser Cumberland. In late 1941, Russell became naval liaison officer to the Governor of Gibraltar, Viscount Gort, and subsequently followed Gort to Malta as his chief of staff. After the relief of the island by Operation Stone Age, Russell would move on to command Nelson and then Duke of York, flagship of the Home Fleet. It was under his command that Duke of York sank the Scharnhorst at the Battle of North Cape, and he was appointed to the DSO as a result, having already been twice mentioned in despatches during the war. A year later, he was appointed to a staff position, naval assistant to the chief of personnel, and promoted rear admiral in 1945. In addition to his DSO, he was made a CBE in 1943.

Russell returned to the Imperial Defence College from 1946 until 1948 (becoming a CB that year), and then spent a year commanding the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of Home Fleet, earning the respect of the then Commander-in-Chief, Sir Rhoderick McGrigor. With the reserves until 1951, he was then appointed Commander-in-Chief, Far East and made a KCB. He served on that station until 1953, taking part in the Korean War, and was promoted admiral in 1952. Returning from the Far East, he was made a GBE and served as Second Sea Lord and chief of naval personnel until 1955. Russell's acute intelligence and bluff but kindly manner, combined with his broad experience, served him well in this position. He was commandant of the Imperial Defence College from 1956 until his retirement in 1958.

After retiring, Russell devoted himself to education and the training of young people, at Wellington College, Cranleigh School, Gordon Boys' School, and Radley College. An excellent oarsman (like his father), avid golfer and good shot, he died at his home in Wisborough Green in 1977.

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Military offices
Preceded by
Alexander Madden		 Second Sea Lord
1953–1955		 Succeeded by
Sir Charles Lambe