The 7th Field Company were part of the 50th Division when Henry was Killed in Action. Between late March and April 1916, the Division was relieved by the 1st Canadian Division and in turn relieved the 2nd Canadian Division in the Wytschaete area. The last Brigade to leave, the 151st, was shelled by the Germans in part of the actions around the St. Eloi craters. The division again deployed on a three-brigade front, with both sides rear areas under observation from high ground behind each line. The Canadians had described the sector as a quiet one, however, after the blowing of the St. Eloi mines to the left of the sector, the amount of trench mortaring greatly increased. At the end of April, the Division went into Corps reserve, with the Headquarters at Fletre, the Division's artillery was reorganised and renumbered during this time. At the end of May the Division returned to the same part of the line, relieving the 3rd Division. During its time there, in addition to strong patrolling in No-Man's Land, the Division's first recorded trench raids took place. The first raids, by 4th East Yorkshires and the 4th Green Howards on the night of the 26th of June were ineffective due to the poor placement of the covering barrage. The first successful raid, by the 5th Green Howards, took place on the 10th of July in a mine crater used by the Germans as part of their front line. Thereafter raids were frequent and rarely returned. Henry was 15 years with the Royal Engineers, 8 of them as a Drill Instructor at Bath before heading to the front. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on the 30/06/1915. His citation reads - "For gallant conduct and devotion to duty. Sergeant Russell greatly distinguished himself while employed on constant night work in, and in front of, our advanced trenches on Le Bizet - St. Ives River Douave line. He has always been ready to undertake a dangerous piece of work and has set the men of his section a splendid example of keen ness and hard work". He also held the Russian Order of St George (2nd Class). Henry rose through the ranks of the Royal Engineers (his early Service Numbers were 3236 with the Royal Engineers Territorials and 418200 as a Driver with the Royal Engineers) and was a crack rifle shot and won numerous prizes. The Reverend Archibald Chisholm delivered a eulogy in the Middle United Free Church on the 23/07/1916 in which he referred to Henrys "sterling manliness and keenness of spirit". See photos for Henry's diary from August 1914 till January 1915 which is listed in the Reverend Samuel Lindsay's 1919 book. Henry's grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. He is also remembered on the Middle United Free Church Roll of Honour and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery x 2 (see photos). See photos for Henry's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 5, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, the 1911 England Census, Henry's wife Ethel's Will, Ridge Wood Military Cemetery and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge. Henry's grave inscription reads "TILL THE LAST AND BRIGHTEST EASTER DAY BE BORN".
