b. ? d. ?
DATE OF EM ACTION: 06/11/1941 Adowsena Mine, Gold Coast (now Ghana).
Very little is known about the life of Walter Russell, a mine captain, at the Adowsena Mine, on the Gold Coast of West Africa, other than his heroic actions on 6th November 1941 during a heavy rock fall.
EM CITATION:
On the 6th November, 1941, a heavy fall of rock occurred at one of the stopes of the Mine, trapping six native labourers. Mr. Russell’s conduct in the rescue operations was exemplary. Without assistance he rescued two of the trapped natives, and with the help of two other Europeans working in relays, rescued two others alive after working for two hours. After a further four hours’ search the dead body of a fifth native was recovered. The search was continued for the sixth native until the Mines Inspector prohibited it on account of the danger. The slightest movement of the mass of rock might have caused a wholesale collapse of the roof, and yet it was necessary to cut away the rock in order to release two of the men. A further fall of rock did occur just after Mr. Russell started the rescue work, but this did not deter him.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD AT DNW IN 2015 FOR £3,300.
Acknowledgement:
Dix Noonan Webb – Image of the Walter Russell Edward Medal.