Russell Green was born on August 24, 1918, the son of Mrs. Gertrude B. Green, of 254 Davis Street, and later 106 North Brock Street, Sarnia. Russell was part Irish and part Iroquois Mohawk, and received his education in Sarnia schools. Russell would marry his wife Eileen prior to joining the army. He enlisted in Sarnia in the Canadian Army with the 26th Battery in September 1939. At his enlistment, he recorded his occupation as a labourer, and his residence at 244 Christina Street, North, Sarnia. He would train at Petawawa and at Guelph, and went overseas in August 1940. He became a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery, 4th Field Regiment, attaining the rank of Lance Bombardier.
In August of 1942, Russell would celebrate his 24th birthday “somewhere in England.” On August 13, 1944, Russell Green would lose his life while fighting in France during the Battle of Normandy. His mother Mrs. Gertrude Green also had a younger son, Private Louis Currotte, who was wounded in his ankle while on active service in France only a few days prior to Russell’s death. Gertrude Green in Sarnia would receive word in mid-August of 1944 of her son Louis Currotte’s wounding in France. Only a few days later, Gertrude Green would receive a telegram from the Director of Records in Ottawa informing her that her other son, Lance-Bombardier Russell Raymond Green has been reported missing in action in France on August 13. The message also stated that when further information became available, it would be forwarded to her. Russell Green would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (France). Twenty-five year old Russell Green is buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France, Grave XII.G.9. On Russell Green’s headstone are inscribed the words, A beautiful memory dearer than gold of a son whose worth can ne’er be told. Mother.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, J, L, N, 2C, 2D