William Russell Russell
William Russell Russell (1869-1906)
1906 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM RUSSELL RUSSELL was born at Lissanode, Moate, Co. Westmeath, on 7th May 1869, and was educated at Ranelagh College, Athlone.
In 1887 he entered the locomotive and carriage department of the Great Western Railway at Swindon as an engineering pupil under the late Mr. William Dean. During his pupilage of three years he passed through the various shops, the chemical laboratory, and drawing office; and had experience on running engines.
He then left Swindon to take an engineering course at University College, London, and re-entered the service in July 1891, when he was appointed on the drawing-office staff.
In 1893 he was promoted to be assistant inspector of materials, and held this post until 1897 when he became assistant foreman at Plymouth, where there were upwards of 70 engines stationed.
He also successfully held the posts of foreman at Lairs and Newton Abbot. While at Lairs, his health broke down, and he was granted a year's leave of absence to enable him to make a sea voyage to Australia and back.
In 1903, having regained his health, he became assistant to Mr. B. Giles, the locomotive divisional superintendent of the South Devon Division of the Great Western Railway system.
This position he was holding at the time of his death, which took place at Newton Abbot on 19th November 1906, at the age of thirty-seven.
He became an Associate Member of this Institution in 1901.