Fusilier Thomas Russell (6983747) served in 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during World War Two. He was the third son of Samuel Russell and Emily Russell (née Balmer) of Garfield Place, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. He was the husband of Agnes Russell (née Gibson) of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
He died on 21st January 1944 aged 23 years old in the aftermath of the Battle of Garigliano. 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers landed at Reggio, Italy on 3rd September 1943 and met little opposition. They advanced 240 miles in the next 15 days, taking the heavily defended town of Isernia.
Fighting in the Garigliano Valley along the Gustav Line began on 17th January 1944. 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers launched a silent attack as part of the 5th Division. Heavy opposition ensured the Division did not achieve their objective until 19th January 1944.
Thomas Russell’s grave is in Section VI, Row E, Grave 23 of Minturno War Cemetery, Italy. His name is on the Garigliano Memorial at the Inniskilling Museum, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. His headstone in Italy bears the inscription:
He died that we might live.