Thank you to Jane Anthony for this research.
Born in 1899, Russell Charles Forehead (also listed as Charles Russell in some records), was the eldest of the six children of Charles and Charlotte Forehead of Abinger Hammer. His father was a blacksmith, both parents were born locally and in the 1911 census their address was given as Brookside, Abinger Hammer.
Initially he joined the Royal Navy on 3rd October 1917 (F39101). He first served on President 11, a training establishment in the Thames Estuary; then as a smith and engineer on HMS Deadelus. His records show that he had brown hair and eyes with a dark completion. His height was give as 5ft 4.75inches. His conduct with the Navy for classified as very good. He was transferred to the RAF in February 1918.
The RAF was only formed in that year from the Royal Air Corps and the Royal Navy Air Service, as Russell was only born in 1899, he must have been one of the earlier recruits for the RAF; being a blacksmith and engineer would have probably made him a good match. He died of influenza on 15th March 1919 aged only 19, He is buried at St James’ Church, Shere, Surrey.
| Born | Abinger Hammer, Dorking | |
| Lived | Abinger Hammer, Dorking | |
| Son of | Charles and Charlotte Forehead of Brookside, Abinger Hammer | |
| Regiment | 211th Squadron, Royal Air Force | |
| Number | 239101 | |
| Former Regiment | Royal Navy | |
| Date of Death | 15th March 1919 | |
| Place of Death | Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Influenza | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Cemetery | St James’s Church, Shere, Surrey | |
| Other Memorial | Marcinelle New Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium |
