Darling Little Dick Russell - Died on his 7th Birthday

 

"In Loving Memory of Darling Dick.  

The dearly beloved son of DICK and GID RUSSELL 

who died on his seventh birthday July 9th 1896 -

Teach Me Thy Ways O Lord!"

Dick Russell was born on 9th July 1889 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey to Richard Russell a Stockbroker, and his wife Lina Mary Scott.  Dick's mother was from a very wealthy family, her mother being Lady Maria Scott, and her sister Countess Mabel Edith Russell (no relation to Richard Russell).  Countess Mabel and Lady Maria Scott where implicated in the great Russell - Scott Scandal.

Dick appears on the 1891 Census aged just one year old, living with his parents and older brother Claude, as well as grandmother Lady Maria Scott and his aunt Countess Mabel at The Fisheries, Bray, Berkshire.  Dick was to pass away on 9th July 1896, the day of his seventh birthday. The Berkshire Chronical carried the following announcement: 

"Russell - On his birthday, July 9, The Nest, Bray. Berks, Dick Russell, the dearly-loved younger son of Dick and Gid Russell, aged seven."

The funeral was held at St Michael's Church, Bray and the burial at All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery on Monday13th July, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Wednesday 15th July 1896:

" AN IMPOSING FUNERAL. 

One of the most imposing funerals ever seen in Maidenhead was that of one of the little sons of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Russell, of the riverside, who passed away on Thursday last, on his seventh birthday. The deceased was a bright little fellow, and was frequently seen on the Maidenhead Cricket Ground with his parents and Lady Scott and Countess Russell, always in company with his little brother. 

The cause of death wav intestinal obstruction. An operation had been performed on the poor little fellow, but he was unable to survive the after-effects and collapsed. He was only ill a few days: though in some pain he was anticipating his birthday with much pleasure. 

Much sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. Russell in their peculiarly sad bereavement, as was evidenced by the large and costly assortment of wreaths, etc at the funeral. The latter took place on Monday last. The remains of the deceased were placed in a handsome white coffin, with silver-plate and handles. On the top were the words, in the form of a star "Teach me Thy way, 0 Lord," and the breast-plate bore the following inscription: 

Dick Russell, 

Died 9th July, 1896,

His 7th Birthday. 

The coffin was conveyed from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Russell (Fishery Estate) in a very handsome funeral car drawn by four fine black horses, adorned with white rosettes, and wearing white side cloths and tassels. The car was also decked with white ribbon, and was filled with floral emblems of love and respect, while Lady Scott's Victoria immediately following was completely filled with wreaths, crosses and other floral designs.

The procession, which was a very lengthy one, proceeded to Bray church, where it was met by the Vicar (Rev. C. A. Raymond) and Rev. J. C. Gawtherne (Chaplain Jesus Hospital) and a full choir of about thirty voices. The chancel had b?en beautifully decorated with white flowers b Mr. W. Broughton (Maidenhead), and Mrs. James Woodhouse (Bray). The service, which was conducted by the Vicar and Rev. J. C. Gawtherne, was fully choral. The appropriate hymn, There's a friend for little children " (399), was very effectively sung by the choir and large congregation. The opening sentences were chanted unaccompanied to music by Tanis. and Psalm 39 to a chant by Barnby. As the procession left the church, the organist (Mr. Arthur Keeble) ably played Mendelsohn's " 0 Rest in the Lord." 

The funeral party then proceeded to the Cemetery, via Bray-road, Forlease-lane, Bridge-street. High-street and Castle-hill. The choir proceeded by another route to the Cemetery and met the funeral cortege at the lych.gate. The grave was a brick one, having been built by Mr. T. Lamb, and it had been lined with evergreens and choice white flowers. It is situate on the northern slope almost opposite the fine Cope memorial. The service by the graveside was fully choral, and was shared by the choir, the Rev. C. A. Raymond and Rev. J. C. Gawtherne. The responses were by Elvey, and hymn 399, " When our heads are bowed with woe." was very nicely sung to tune by Redhead. 

The scene at the graveside was most affecting and sonic difficulty was experienced with the heartbroken mother. Mr. Russell and Countess Russell. Lady Scott and others strewed flowers on the coffin, upon which a large heart of white flowers was lowered. There was a splendid collection of magnificent wreaths.

We may add that Mr. J. C. Webber, Highstreet, was the undertaker, and that he carried out his duties to the entire satisfaction of Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Countess Russell and Lady Scott. Sergt. Meade and Constable Spratley regulated the traffic outside Bray Church."

By 1901 Dick's parents and brother had moved to London. The 1901 Census finds Richard and Lina living at 6 Eccleston Street, St George Hanover Square, London. Claude is away at St Michael's private school in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. Richard Russell would pass away in Hastings, Sussex in 1917 aged 56, and Lina in 1930 aged 66.

One mystery remains, why was Lina referred to as Gid Russell in Dick's death announcement and on his grave. Was it a nickname of sorts.