Lord Alexander George Russell 16,52,163
- Born: 16 September 1821, Woburn, Bedfordshire
- Marriage: Anne Emily Holmes on 3 July 1844 in St. George's Hanover Square, London
- Died: 10 January 1907, Islip, Oxfordshire aged 85 13
General Notes:
From The Times, January 12, 1907
The death took place at Woodeaton, Oxford, on Thursday, of General Lord Alexander George Russell, GCB, Colonel-Commandant of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. Lord Alexander Russell was the youngest of the ten sons of the Duke of Bedford, and a brother, therefore, of the seventh duke; of Major-General Lord George William Russell, sometime Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Berlin, and ADC to the late Queen Victoria; of Lord John Russell, KG, GCMG, PC who was subsequently created Earl Russell of Kingston Russell; of the Reverend Lord Wriothesley Russell, Canon of Windsor; of Lord Francis John Russell and Lord Henry Russell; who both served with distinction in the Royal Navy; and of Lady Louisa Jane Russell, the first Duchess of Abercorn. Born December 16, 1821, Lord Alexander Russell entered the Army as second-lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, by purchase, July 11, 1839. Joining his regiment in the Mediterranean, he had not long to wait for, what in those days every young soldier who could command any influence endeavoured to obtain, an Aide-de-Campship, as a stepping stone to other things. From December, 1840, to May, 1841, he acted in this capacity on the staff of the Governor of Gibraltar. He then reverted to regimental duty, and on April 15, 1842, obtained his lieutenancy, without purchase. He now spent several years as a regimental officer in the Colonies, obtaining his company, by purchase, August 7, 1846. In February, 1847, he again became Aide-de-Camp, this time in Canada, where he took up duty on the staff of the Governor-General. He vacated that position, however, to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, to which colony the 1st. Batt. Rifle Brigade had been summoned from the Ionian Islands to assist in the suppression of the Kaffirs, who had been giving trouble for some time. Lord Alexander Russell joined the battalion in South Africa and remained with it until June 3, 1852, when he was appointed a deputy-assistant quarter-master-general. In that position he was present at the action of Berea. This secured for him mention in the general orders, and later a brevet majority and war medal. The war in the Crimea found both the battalions of the Rifle Brigade early in the field. Lord Alexander was promoted to a substantive majority in the brigade, December 20, 1854, and in that rank joined the allied army on July 11, 1855. He was present with his battalion in all the subsequent operations, including the siege and fall of Sevastopol. From October 25, 1855, to the cessation of hostilities, he commanded the 1st Batt. Rifle Brigade, coming frequently under notice for his fine qualities as a commanding officer. His rewards for the Crimea were the medal with clasp, the Legion of Honour, the fifth Class of the Medjidieh, the Turkish and Sardinian medals, and a brevel lieutenant-colonelcy. He succeeded to the substantive command of the 1st Batt. Rifle Brigade, by purchase, December 15, 1858, and obtained the brevet rank of Colonel, March 10, 1861. He was now quartered with his command in England. In December, 1861, the Trent affair induced the Government of despatch large reinforcements to Canada. The 1st Batt. Rifle Brigade was on of those selected for the service, and Lord Alexander Russell embarked at their head. He did duty at various places in the Dominion until 1870, when he brought his battalion back to Woolwich, leaving it at the station and retiring on half-pay in February, 1871. For two years after this he remained without military employment, but on January 1, 1873, he was appointed colonel on the staff to command the troops at Shorncliffe. Promoted to major-general's rank on March 28, 1874, with antedate to March 6, 1868, he had, by the rules of the Service, to vacate on September 28, 1874, his command at Kentish camp. Two and a half years of inactivity followed. On April 1, 1877, he assumed command of the South-Eastern District. On March 20, 1878, he became a lieutenant-general. Leaving Dover March 31, 1880, he had another spell of nonemployment until 1883, when he, greatly to his delight, was enabled to renew his official connexion with Canada by going to Halifax to take up the duties of general officer commanding troops in British North America. There he remained for his full five years, leaving Nova Scotia to the regret of an appreciative community, to whom he had endeared himself by his proverbial courtesy, and the earnest desire he evinced on all occasions to serve the best interests of all classes in the Dominion. He returned to England, having run his course, and could look for no further employment. He became a general April 7, 1886, was appointed colonel of the 8th King's Liverpool Regiment, February 28, 1880, was placed on the retired list December 16, 1888, and became a colonel-commandant of the Rifle Brigade May 1, 1891. He was created a CB June 2, 1877, KCB June 26, 1903, and GCB in 1905. Lord Alexander Russell married in July, 1844, Anne Emily Worsley, the youngest daughter of Sir Leonard Worsley Holmes, Bart. who died in October last year. He leaves two sons, Alexander Gordon, born in 1854, late a captain, and Leornard George, born in 1858, late a major, in the Rifle Brigade.
Noted events in his life were:
1. Census UK 1851: 30 March 1851, 24 Marine Parade, Dover, Kent.
2. Census UK 1881: 1881, Ewhurst House, Ewhurst, Hampshire.
3. Census UK 1901: 1901, Ewhurst Park, Ewhurst, Hampshire.
4. Resided: 10 January 1907, Woodeaton, Islip, Oxfordshire. 13
5. He had an estate probated on 19 February 1907 in London. 13
Alexander married Anne Emily Holmes, daughter of Leonard Thomas Worsley Holmes, 9th Baronet and Anne Redston Delgarno, on 3 July 1844 in St. George's Hanover Square, London. (Anne Emily Holmes was born on 3 February 1821 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight and died on 16 October 1906 in 23 Marine Parade, Dover, Kent 13.)
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