Lisburn man with first Military Cross

The launch of the biography of Brigadier Nelson Russell was attended by a number of guests including Brigadier Russell’s niece, Mrs Anne Wilson from Dublin; his nephew, Mr David Johnston, the donor of the Museum’s Nelson Russell collection; and the author Mr Keith Haines.

Brigadier Nelson Russell MC; DSO; CB from Clonevin Park, was Lisburn’s most distinguished soldier of the twentieth century best known for his inspirational command of the Irish Brigade in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War.

An event marking Brigadier Russell receiving the Military Cross for leading a daring daylight raid of the German trenches in April 1916, was held in the Town Hall, Castle Street. Lisburn. He was presented with a large silver ‘Loving Cup’ and an illuminated address. It was the first Military Cross won by a Lisburn man during the war.

Brigadier Russell MC; DSO; CB first rose to prominence during the First World War as an 18 year 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Though he survived the Great War, many of Nelson’s friends at Campbell College died including his close Lisburn friend Quintin Dunlop, who was killed at the Battle of the Somme. Brigadier Russell never forgot his roots and demonstrated his affection for Lisburn by travelling considerable distances to turn out for the likes of Lisburn Cricket Club and Lisnagarvey Hockey Club which he captained to great success in the 1923–24 season.

He married Edith Allan of Lisburn in 1926.

The book Brigadier Nelson Russell of Lisburn by Keith Haines is available to purchase at the Irish Linen Centre shop at £8.00.