Quilt

Quilt Description:

White linen, commercially produced single bed sheet, that has been subsequently autographed and embroided to make a quilt or coverlet. All embroidery is in two gauges of white cotton embroidery thread. Unless otherwise stated the embroidery is in stemstitch, with a small amount of chainstitch. All the autographs would have originally have been written in pencil before being over-embroidered. The top edge of the quilt has a 6cm deep hem edged with drawn threadwork. Beneath it, in satinstitch, is a decorative scroll of grapes, vine leaves and tendrils. The hem and scroll were part of the original bed sheet. Beneath this is hand stemstiched lettering 'Rylstone Autograph Quilt'. The main body of the quilt is covered with numerous embroidered autographs bordered by a wide variety of embroidered shapes. The shapes include stars, flowers, circles, and five large multi-facetted circular shapes. The central circular shape bears the cypher of King George V and 'FOR OUR DARDANELLES AUSTRALIAN WOUNDED 1915'. Two of the other circles bear the names 'A.C. ROBBINS A.H.FREEMAN' and 'J.D. SANDSTROM' (Robbins and Freeman were Rylstone district Gallipoli casualties). The other two circles bear the names of well known Australian commanding officers killed on Gallipoli, 'Genl Bridges' and 'Cols MacLaurin Braund [and] Onslow Thompson'. The names of 49 soldiers with a Rylstone district connection have been written by the same hand around some of the circles and then embroidered over.

Summary

Autograph 'quilts' were a common method of fund raising in Australia during the First World War, especially in country areas. The idea behind them was that an individual would sign the quilt in pencil and then pay to have the signature embroidered over. In this way funds were raised for the war effort, The Rylstone quilt is unusual in that the signatures and decorative embroidery are in white on a white ground. The majority of quilts were embroidered with red thread on a white ground.

There are over 900 names embroidered on the quilt. They include names of soldiers from the Rylstone district and the signatures of civilians from the Rylstone in New South Wales. As far as can be ascertained , 49 soldiers from the district are listed on the quilt. Work continues to identify the servicemen. All those identified enllisted between August 1914 to July 1915, implying that the quilt was completed by mid-1915.

Source: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL28488/


The quilt is now held by the Australian War Memorial.

Monday 26 May 2014

William Alban RUSSELL


William Russell
Photo: Dan Hatton

The AWM could not identify this person from the Nominal Roll as there were at least 15 possible name matches.
Ref: AWM, REL28488 List of 49 Names.doc

I believe the person is William Alban RUSSELL born in Rylstone NSW and who served in WW1.
Ref: Dan Hatton (from NAA service records)

Brother of Mary Russell who married David Taylor. They lived in Joseph Taylor's Cottage. William's remains were identified at Fromelles, France through descendent's DNA. Mary Russell came from Ilford.
Ref: Helen Marsonet


William Russell (left) and brother, Arthur Russell (right). Both were born in Ilford. Arthur was killed in action at Fromelles and William was killed in action at Polygon Wood, therefore I believe it may have been Arthur's remains that were identified at Fromelles.
Ref: Photo obtained from http://www.lestweforget.com.au/collection/item/230, accessed 26 May 2014.

A. & W. RUSSELL
The Story of Arthur and William Russell 

19 year-old Arthur Russell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. A labourer by trade he listed his father William Russell of Kellyville as his next of kin and enlisted at the same time as his older brother William, the two being given consecutive service numbers.

The brothers were initially assigned to the 1st battalion but were transferred to the newly created 54th battalion once they arrived in the Middle East. After spending time at the Ferry Post they embarked for France onboard the Caledonian.

After arriving in Marseilles in June they entrained for Northern France where they took part in the allied attacks at Fromelles during which Arthur was killed and William was wounded. According to reports Arthur was killed beyond the first German line when he was hit by a shell. His death was witnessed by his brother who was shot in the arm during the action. Arthur’s body was ultimately recovered by the Germans who buried him in one of the mass graves.

 Following the battle William was sent back to England to recover from his injuries, returning to the front in November of 1916. He continued to serve with the 54th battalion until September 1917 when he was also killed in action during the battle of Polygon Wood. 

 Research Notes:

1) William was 22 at the time of enlistment and worked as a brick maker. 
2) Several of Arthur’s company members spoke of him as being a fairly good boxer. 
3) Arthur Russell was also known as Brownie Russell. 
4) William is honoured on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres. 
5) William and Gertrude Russell had five children: Jessie, William, Arthur, Ivan and Jack. 
6) Their mother, Gertrude, passed away in 1923.

Ref: http://www.lestweforget.com.au/memorial/57/arthur-and-william-russell, accessed 26 May 2014. 

Further details on William Russell also available at:
https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=263946, accessed 26 May 2014.

Further details on Arthur Russell also available at:
https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=263530, accessed 26 May 2014.

 Another article on the Russell brothers:
http://www.rousehillcourier.com.au/story/250535/proposed-name-change-to-honour-fallen-digger/, accessed 26 May 2014.

Source: Dan Hatton
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