Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A quantity of original career photographs and other memorabilia appertaining to Air Vice-Marshal J. B. Russell, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., Royal Air Force, comprising approximately 60 photographs, mainly of the post-war era and including images taken at a “Royal Visit”, but also one or two earlier wartime portraits; together with his original commission warrant for the rank of Acting Pilot Officer, dated 24 May 1935, this last creased but generally in good conditon (Lot) £40-60

John Bernard Russell, who was born in April 1916 and entered the Royal Air Force as an Acting Pilot Officer in May 1935, was awarded his D.S.O. for his gallantry and leadership as C.O. of No. 172 Squadron (London Gazette 10 November 1942). The original recommendation states:

‘He has had an arduous task of training the Squadron in the use and development of the “Leigh Light”. He has set an inspiring example to his squadron by his leadership, and his was one of the first crews to become operationally efficient. At 03.40 hours on 16 June 1942, he was on patrol in the Bay of Biscay when he sighted an enemy submarine on the surface. By means of the “Leigh Light” he carried out a very sound, and it is hoped, successful attack. He has completed 24 sorties, involving 108 hours by day and 96 hours by night operational flying.’

Russell went on to hold a succession of senior posts after the War, among them S.A.S.O. of Coastal Command, and was awarded the C.B.E. in January 1960 and the C.B. in June 1964. Placed on the Retired List in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal in April 1969, he served as U.K. Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization up until his death in August 1978.