Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet
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Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet VC (22 June 1826–13 April 1883), was a British Conservative politician and soldier. He was the recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Russell was the second but eldest surviving son of Sir Henry Russell, 2nd Baronet, British 'Resident' at the court of Hyderabad in India, and his second wife, Marie Clotilde daughter of Benoit Mottet de la Fontaine, Baron Fieffé de St Corneille. He was educated at Eton College and entered the Grenadier Guards in 1847. Charles inherited the baronetcy and the family estate of Swallowfield Park in Berkshire in 1852. He became a lieutenant and a captain the following year and accompanied his regiment to the Crimea where he took part in the Siege of Sebastopol and the Battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman. He was a 28-year-old Brevet Major in the 3rd Battalion in the latter battle when the following action took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 5 November 1854, Brevet Major Russell offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sandbag Battery if anyone would follow him. A sergeant and two privates (Anthony Palmer) - one of whom was subsequently killed - were the first to volunteer. The party met much resistance and several times seemed to be on the point of annihilation but their skill, especially with the bayonet, finally brought success. Major Russell himself fought with great valour and in single combat wrenched the rifle out of the grasp of a powerful Russian. His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Grenadier Guards RHQ) (London, England). He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Russell was also involved in politics and sat as Conservative as Member of Parliament for Berkshire from 1865 to 1868 and for Westminster from 1874 to 1883. He died unmarried on 13 April 1883 and was buried in the family vault beneath All Saints' Church, Swallowfield. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his brother, George.
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Berkshire)
- Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Philip Pleydell-Bouverie John Walter Richard Benyon |
Member of Parliament for Berkshire with Richard Benyon Robert Loyd-Lindsay 1865–1868 |
Succeeded by Richard Benyon Robert Loyd-Lindsay John Walter |
| Preceded by Robert Grosvenor William Henry Smith |
Member of Parliament for Westminster with William Henry Smith 1874–1882 |
Succeeded by William Henry Smith Lord Algernon Percy |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Henry Russell |
Baronet (of Swallowfield) 1852–1883 |
Succeeded by George Russell |
