Lancebrook Charles Eglese aka William Russell

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 10/05/2017 - 11:57

First Name:

Lancebrook

Middle Name:

Charles

Last Name:

Eglese

Mother's Name:

Emelia Eglese nee Weyland 'Helena"

Father's Name:

Charles Eglese

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, July 27, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

5th Machine Gun Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, September 26, 1917

Place of Death:

Polygon Wood

Cause of Death:

Killed in Action

Details:

William Russell (Service No 121) was born Lancebrook Charles Eglese in 1889.

At the time of enlistment William was single, 28 years of age and employed as a labourer.

William embarked on HMAT A62 - Wandilla from Melbourne, Victoria with the 31st Battalion, Machine Gun Section on 9 November 1915.

On arrival in Egypt on 7 December 1915, he was transferred to 8th Machine Gun Company on 9 March 1916 and arrived in France on 23 June 1916.

William was promoted to Corporal on 1 September 1916.

He saw service on the Western Front as a machine gunner. William was promoted to Sergeant on 4 March 1917.

On 1st June 1917, he was transferred to 5th Machine Gun Company where he served with his brother Noel Edward Burgoyne Eglise aka leslie Edaward Watson (Service No 2840)

William was killed in action on 26 September 1917 and is buried in Spoilbank Cemetery, Plot 1, Row Q, Grave 20 at Zillebeke Belgium.

In 1920 there are letters from his Mother advising of his true name but there is no reason given for why he enlisted under an alias. His brother Noel also served under an alias.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, RUSSELL WILLIAM