Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Hubbard, a general labourer, born 1868 in Belton, Rutland and his wife Annie Hubbard (nee Spiby, married in the 1st quarter of 1886 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1868 in South Croxton, Leicestershire. Russell was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Archie, a stationery shop assistant, born 1888 and Rachel, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 8, Algernon Road, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Russell was employed as a factory worker and was residing in the family home at 141, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray together with his father, a labourer, his mother and siblings, Rachel, a shoe trade machinist and Lottie, born 1902 in Melton Mowbray, also residing with the family was Russell’s nephew, Reginald Hubbard, born 1909 in Melton Mowbray.
Russell enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1913 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 1667. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand, his current employer being Messrs. Smith, Faire and Co. He gave his present address as 141, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray.
His medical examination took place in Melton Mowbray on the 4th September 1913 and recorded that he was 5 feet 10 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Hubbard, mother Annie Hubbard, 141, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, brother, Archibald, Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/13.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/9/13.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. For British Expeditionary Force in France. 26/2/15.
Landed. Le Havre, France. 27/2/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 12/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/13 – 27/2/15. 1 year 180 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15 – 12/9/15, 197 days.
Total Service. 2 years 12 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Russell’s surviving service record amounts to a total of sixteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 12 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. Between 3.25 and 5.00pm 49. 50. and A1. bombarded with 6 inch shells. Considerable damage done to trenches. Officers wounded by shell fire Captain J. L. GRIFFITHS, 2nd Lieutenant R. B. FARRER, slightly wounded to duty Lieutenant E. G. LANGDALE.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE LOCAL TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. – TWO MELTONIANS KILLED. We regret that the ranks of our local Territorials arriving at the front have been further reduced, and two more Meltonians have been killed, in addition to several wounded. One is Private Russell Hubbard, 141, Thorpe road, Melton Mowbray. Deceased who was 22 years of age last June, was employed for about five years at the shoe factory, being subsequently engaged as shop porter at Messrs. Garner and Sons’, ironmongers. When war was declared he had gone to Bridlington with the 5th Leicesters (Territorials) for their annual fortnight’s training, and went out to France with them last February. He was killed last Sunday week by a shell which also wounded several other Melton Territorials. The news of his death was conveyed to his parents by the following letter:- “Dear Mr. Hubbard. - It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday mid-day, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by all the rest of the Company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours Sincerely, F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s eldest brother Pte. Archibald Hubbard, who is serving with the same regiment, wrote home as follows:- “September 15th. Dear Mother and Dad, and sisters. - Just a few lines to say I received your parcel all right, and to thank you. I do not know how to write these few lines, but I am very sorry to say that we have lost poor old Russ. On Sunday we had a terrible day, but I am pleased to say he died nobly doing his duty like an Englishman. We buried him nicely at night behind the lines. Bill Roper one of the burial party, Corpl. Boulger, and myself went last night and trimmed it up a bit. We shall make a wreath of evergreens and put on it. The chaplain came up and read the service for us. Well, dear mother, I cannot write much more this time, as I feel about done up. May God watch over and protect you, and give you strength to stand this awful blow. It is a big blow to me, and I know it will be a bigger one to you. Kiss Regg and Lott for me, and accept same yourself. That is all this time, with love from your loving son. Arch. P.S. – We come out of the trenches on Tuesday night for six days.” Private R. Lakey, son of Mr. Robert Lakey, 14, Chapel-street, Melton Mowbray was also killed the same day. He served his apprenticeship as bookbinder at Mr. J. W. Warner’s, 11 years ago, then took a situation in Lincoln. After that he had various other engagements and when the war broke out was employed by Mr. Stacey, printer and bookbinder, Leicester. Deceased enlisted in the 2/5th Leicesters (Territorials), and went out with the second draft from Luton. Last Friday his father received the following letter. – “Dear Mr. Lakey. – It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday morning early, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by the rest of the company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours sincerely. F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s sister Mrs. J. W. Coulson, received the following letter from Sergt. Dobson. “September 16th. Dear Madam. – Just a line to let you know the sad death of your brother Bob. It came as a big blow to us because the little time he had been with us he had been much liked by all and I am only expressing the feelings of No.6 Platoon in this letter. He got killed by a shell exploding near him, and death must have been instantaneous. Several of the company laid him to rest at the back of the line. I am sure while we are in this place his grave will be well looked after. Poor old Bob! I knew him before the war, and I was surprised when he joined us, but I can safely say he always did his duty, and was always very cheerful. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I expect all his personal belongings will be sent home. I remain, yours sincerely. H. Dobson.” Quartermaster-Sergt. W. Wade wrote as follows to deceased’s brother:- “Dear Sir. – I am returning your letter which is addressed to your brother Bob. I think you have most probably heard the sad news about him. I knew him all his life. He had not been with us many days, but he was a favourite with everyone. He will be missed amongst us all. He was in a dug-out and got it blown in with a shell, and he was buried. All the men sympathise with you in your loss, and please accept my sympathy. Yours sincerely. W. Wade.” In addition to the above, several local Territorials in the same company were wounded by shells about the same time. Pte. Frank Cooke of Melton, was wounded in the calf of one of his legs, Pte. Brown of Melton, was badly wounded in the shoulder and Pte. Leach of Melton, sustained a wound in the body one of his ribs being broken. Lance-Corpl. A. Birch, of Melton, had the drums of both ears burst, causing complete deafness, and Pte. Armstrong, of Sewstern was wounded in four places – one calf, both thighs, and a scratch at the back of the head.
On Saturday September 25th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The parents of several Melton Mowbray Territorial’s have been notified of recent casualties to their sons serving with the 5th Leicester’s. Mr. R. Lakey, 14, Chapel-street, has received a letter from Lieut. E. E. Wynne stating that his son, Pte. R. LAKEY, was killed by a shell, which buried him in a dug-out. Pte. Lakey, who was 32 years of age, joined the 2/5th Leicester’s on the outbreak of the war, and went out with the second draft from Luton. He was employed as a bookbinder by Mr. Stacey, of Leicester.
Mr. J. Hubbard, 141, Thorpe-road, Melton, received a similar notification respecting his son, Pte. RUSSEL HUBBARD, also of the 5th Leicester’s, who was killed by a shell which burst in the trench. Several other Melton Territorial’s were wounded, including Lance-Corporal BIRCH, and Pte’s. BROWN, LEACH, and F. COOKE, and Pte. ARMSTRONG of Sewstern, all members of B Company.