17458 Pte George Russell Radcliffe - known as Russell

Russell was born in on 14th June 1891 in Aigburth, Liverpool to George and Edith, one of four children - he had three sisters, Doris, Rene and Kathleen.

A talented musician he would have liked to study music, but on the early death of his father, he became the breadwinner of the family. At the age of 18 he joined J Bibby & Sons as apprentice to the Chief Chemist.

He was 23 years old when war broke out in 1914 and he joined the 19th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment. A keen flautist, he joined the brigade band, and his flute went with him throughout the war.

On the eve of the battle of Guillemont in July 1916, he wrote a letter (View ) to his mother's brother, Uncle Will, back in Liverpool although he didn't send it immediately. He survived the battle and afterwards he continued his letter to his uncle, describing what had happened. He describes the capture of a German trench and how willing the German soldiers were to leave the trench for the relative luxury of a POW camp on the Isle of Wight. Russell also included a 'Preface' to the letter which mentions the deaths of several friends, including [John] Dennis Coe [ View]. He says in the preface that the brigade band 'is no more', as all but 6 members of the band were killed in that battle.

After the war, Russell returned to Liverpool and to his job at Bibby's. He was appointed to manage the production of processed oils and fats which at that time Bibby's were selling to the bakery and fish frying trades. By 1931, they were marketing the cooking fat to home cooks under the brand name Trex.

In 1923 he met Vera Cairns - the love of his life - and they married in 1925. They had a son, Donald.

Despite deafness in one ear, caused by the shelling in the trenches, he continued to play the flute. He was at professional standard and occasionally was called in to play with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra if they were short of a flautist. He only stopped playing in his 90's due to stiff fingers!

In 1953 his son Donald was tragically killed in an accident, while a serving army officer in Egypt. Naturally this was absolutely devastating for Russell and Vera. On Russell's retirement in 1954, they rented a house overlooking the lake at Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. They spent 10 happy years there. He had bought a boat with his gratuity after WWI and sailing was always his passion.

In the 1960's Russell and Vera returned to New Brighton where they lived the rest of their lives. Russell joined the Mersey Yacht Club, remaining a member until his death. He was crewing coastal cruisers round the north of Scotland until he was over eighty. In his 90s he started having occasional dizzy spells. His doctor asked him if it was really causing him much of a problem. Russell replied 'Well, it can make getting on and off my boat a bit tricky'!

Vera died in 1983 - a massive loss. For the rest of his life, Russell couldn't mention her name without crying. In the last few years of his life Russell lived at Weatherstone's House retirement home (the family believe this home was owned by J Bibby's & Co for former employees). Although he was no longer able to play the flute or sail, he enjoyed visits from his family and friends (including his nieces Joan and Mavis Carter, and 9 great-nieces and nephews). He enjoyed a daily tot of whisky - especially single malt.

Russell died at the end of August 1991, having recently celebrated his 100th birthday.