Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet
| Sir Charles Russell, Bt | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Born | 22 June 1826 Sothern Hill, Berkshire |
| Died | 13 April 1883 (aged 56) Reading, Berkshire |
| Buried at | All Saint's Church (Vault), Swallowfield, Berkshire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | Enlisted 1847 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | Grenadier Guards |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Order of the Medjidieh (Ottoman Empire) |
| Other work | Member of Parliament |
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet VC (22 June 1826 – 13 April 1883), was a British Conservative politician and soldier. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Russell was the second but eldest surviving son of Sir Henry Russell, 2nd Baronet, British 'Resident' at the court of Hyderabad in India, and his second wife, Marie Clotilde daughter of Benoit Mottet de la Fontaine, Baron Fieffé de St Corneille. He was educated at Eton College and entered the Grenadier Guards in 1847. Charles inherited the baronetcy and the family estate of Swallowfield Park in Berkshire in 1852. He became a lieutenant and a captain the following year and accompanied his regiment to the Crimea where he took part in the Siege of Sebastopol and the Battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman. He was a 28-year-old Brevet Major in the 3rd Battalion in the latter battle when the following action took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 5 November 1854, Brevet Major Russell offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sandbag Battery if anyone would follow him. A sergeant and privates, Anthony Palmer and another who was subsequently killed - were the first to volunteer. The party met much resistance and several times seemed to be on the point of annihilation but their skill, especially with the bayonet, finally brought success. Major Russell himself fought with great valour and in single combat wrenched the rifle out of the grasp of a powerful Russian. His citation read:
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