NAME William James Russell Jnr
BORN 15 August 1899
DIED  
MILITARY SERIAL NO. 66987
UNIT 23rd G.S.R.
ENLISTED Narrandera 15 March 1919
DISCHARGED Sydney 15 February 1919 – Medically Unfit

 William Russell’s holding consisted of 700 acres and was located in the County of Bourke, Parish of Fennel, Land District of Narrandera.[1]  His holding was a part of Billaah Estate, at Grong Grong. The initial report by the Narrandera and District Repatriation Committee of 28 April 1921 stated that ‘Russell should do well on it’.[2]

Russell stated that he intending building a four room house on his land to commence in September of 1921.[3]  He applied for his advance on 18 July 1921 and it was approved on 19 July.[4]  There was a proviso that ‘no payment for permanent improvements be made until purchase of the property is complete’.[5]

By November 1923, eleven of the 52 soldier settlers at Narrandera were classed as being bad or doubtful.[6]  Russell was one of the eleven. (The Loan numbers for the other ten are listed in Russell’s file).  However an inspection undertaken on 16 August 1924, judged Russell’s case to be ‘satisfactory and his prospects fair’.[7]

By March 1924, Russell’s improvements including a very simple house and fences had been carried out.  He was at time heavy in debt due to poor seasons with small crop returns on his wheat.   It was recommended that he be given an extension of time until 1 February 1925 to repay his debts .[8]  Approval for this was given.[9]  He was asked to execute a crop lien but by 18 October er 1924 it had not been executed.[10] 

Around January 1925, Russell wrote again objecting to the lien, stating that he wanted to put up another house as the present one was not fit to live in. ‘I have had a very bad spin right through of late years. I cannot put improvements on without money.[12]  The lien amounted to £567.3.3 of the total his crop returns of £1088.15.00.[13]  Russell offered an amount of £400 which was considered but  eventually not approved.[14]  Russell went into an agreement to share farm 330 acres with a George Herbert Mohr .[15]

Russell’s Advance was repaid in full on 17 May 1927.[16] 

Russell’s Settlement Purchase was transferred to a Hilda Hannah Corcoran – settlement being achieved during June 1928.[17] 

The transfer of Russell’s block to Hilda Corcoran was being handled by Matthews and Dangar Solicitors.  The solicitors believed that Russell’s liabilities inclusive of certain writs on the Register amounted to more than the purchase moneys payable.  They were relying on the clearing sale to reduce the amount due to the RSS Branch.  Because the purchaser agreed to take over certain machinery ‘in satisfaction of excess moneys which the Purchaser had to find’, the sale continued. [18]

Footnotes

[1] SRNSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files;   [12/7240 No. 7351] William James Russell, Application for loan, 14 March 1921.

[2] Ibid, Secretary Narrandera & District Repatriation Committee to The Director SS Branch 28 April 1921.

[3] Ibid, 12 July 1921.

[4] Ibid, Application for an Advance 18 July 1921.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid, Report ? November 1923.

[7] Ibid, Inspection of Returned Soldiers’ Holdings 16 August 1924.

[8] Ibid, CP Inspector Narrandera 10 March 1924.

[9] Ibid, Director of SS 5 August 1924.

[10] Ibid, Under Secretary to District Surveyor Hay 13 October 1924.

[11] Ibid,  District Surveyor to the Under Secretary for Lands 18 May 1924.

[12] Ibid, Russell to Secretary Repatriation Department January 1925.

[13] Ibid, Loans Administration Section RSS Branch 16 January 1924 RSS Branch Office Memorandum 16 January 1925.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid, Officer in Charge CS Branch 3 November 1925.

[16] Ibid, Securities, Department of Lands Memorandum 25 May 1927.

[17] Ibid, A Swiney to Under Secretary for Lands 14 May 1928.

[18] Ibid, Matthews and Dangar to the Under Secretary Department of Lands 23 May 1927.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records of NSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files;  [12/7240 No. 7351], William James Russell.

National Archives of Australia:  B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (William James Russell) online: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=8073515