During the
First World War, Russell went to sea as a
midshipman aboard , which
supported the Dardanelles landings. He would later serve aboard during the
Battle of Jutland, and was
mentioned in despatches for his war service. Russell saw service on a variety of ships,
destroyers,
cruisers,
battleships, shore training establishments, and on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean, before his relatively early promotion to
commander in 1931. This well-rounded record was combined with a reputation for adaptiveness and innovation. He completed the naval staff course at
Royal Naval College, Greenwich in 1931 and became
executive officer of , flagship of the Mediterranean fleet under
Sir William Fisher. Russell continued to excel in this position, and was promoted to
captain in 1936. After further studies at the
Imperial Defence College, Russell became Assistant Director of Plans in 1938. (left) at
Rosyth, November 1943. On the outbreak of the
Second World War, Russell first commanded the net layer , and then the cruiser . In late 1941, Russell became naval liaison officer to the
Governor of Gibraltar,
Viscount Gort, and subsequently followed Gort to
Malta as his chief of staff. After the relief of the island by
Operation Stone Age, Russell would move on to command and then , flagship of the
Home Fleet. It was under his command that
Duke of York sank the
Scharnhorst at the
Battle of North Cape, and he was awarded the
Distinguished Service Order as a result, having already been twice mentioned in despatches during the war. A year later, he was appointed to a staff position, naval assistant to the
Second Sea Lord, and promoted
rear admiral in 1945. He was made a
Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1943. Russell returned to the Imperial Defence College from 1946 until 1948, was appointed a
Companion of the Order of the Bath that year, and then spent a year commanding the
2nd Cruiser Squadron of Home Fleet, earning the respect of the then Commander-in-Chief,
Sir Rhoderick McGrigor.
Admiral Commanding, Reserves until 1951, he was then appointed
Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet and made a
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He served on that station until 1953, taking part in the
Korean War, and was promoted
admiral in 1952. Returning from the Far East, he was made a
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire and served as
Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel until 1955. Russell's acute intelligence and bluff but kindly manner, combined with his broad experience, served him well in this position. He was
Commandant of the Imperial Defence College from 1956 until his retirement in 1958. ==Later life==