234547 L/Cpl. Richard Russell Telfer MMBritish Army 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders from:Torbothie Row, Parish of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland My great great uncle, Richard Russell, was born on 15th April 1885 at Haywood, Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father was Charles Telfer, who was born on 15th August 1826 at Kirkurd, Newlands, Peeblesshire, Scotland; he died on 2nd March 1895 at Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was Janet Sommerville, who was born in 1842 in the Parish of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland; she died on 17th November 1904, at Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
In the 1891 Census for Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, he was age 5, living with his parents and siblings at Torbothie Row, Parish of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father Charles Telfer died on 2nd March 1895, at Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.
In the 1901 Census for Calderhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, he was age 15, a pit labourer, living with his mother and siblings at Torbothie Row, Parish of Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
On 11th January 1904, he enlisted at the age of 18, at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to the 2nd Btn Seaforth Highlanders. His Service Record did survive and is available to read on the Ancestry website.
On 5th November 1907, he married Margaret Hudson Scott at Edinburgh, Scotland. On the marriage record he shows his address as Edinburgh Castle. His battalion was stationed there at the time.
He was mobilized on 5th August 1914, and arrived in F & F on 23rd August, 1914. He was appointed L/Cpl on 20th October 1916.
On 11th November 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal. The War Diary of the 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders for November 1916, shows a list of those rewarded for gallantry. L/Cpl 8669, Telfer, R., is shown as awarded the Military Medal for two (2) 'Dates of Action' on '25.4.15 and 2.5.15'.
His MIC shows he was awarded the M.M., Victory, British, 14 Star, and Clasp of Roses IV 1760. His MM MIC shows the date of the Gazette as '11.11.16'. The London Gazette 29819, page 10931, shows the award to L/Cpl 8669 R. Telfer. The Edinburgh Gazette 13010, page 2041, also listed the entry of the award.
The Military History Sheet of his Service Record shows that he was awarded The Military Medal. It also shows he was asphyxiated by 'Gas Fumes' on '6/5/15'. He was invalided back to the UK on 15.5.15. He rejoined his Battalion on 31.7.15.
On 30th October 1916 he was injured by "Foreign body - Eye". He was moved to 21 Casualty Clearing Station, then 5 General Hospital at Rouen. He was eventually evacuated back to the UK on 25.11.16.
He was discharged on 31st March 1917, having served 13 years and 80 days with the Colours.
He emigrated to Australia on 15th May 1922, with his wife and three children, and died in Lily, Victoria, Australia in 1966 aged 81.
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