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Name: RUSSELL, Edward John Henderson

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Nee: bro of John William Pemberton Russell and Beatrice, wife of Francis George Hall

Birth Date: 2.8.1871 Shepperton, Middlesex

Death Date: 31.5.1900 Shimoni, malaria

First Date: 1894

Last Date: 1900

Profession: Served with IBEA Co.

Area: Fort Smith, Shimoni, Wasin

Author: Diaries RH

Book Reference: Gillett, Ainsworth, Fitzgerald, Tucker, EAHB 1905, North, Curtis, IBEA, EAHB 1906, Nicholls, Matson Bio, EAHB 1904, Gazette

General Information:

Tucker - Assistant to Gilkison at Fort Smith in 1895
North - dep. Mombasa for Fort Smith, Kikuyu 2/11/1894; returned to Kikuyu from Ravine 3/3/1895; Dist. Officer Kikuyu 2/5/1895; dep. Fort Smith for coast arr. Mombasa 9/7/1895; appt. direct to EAP 1/7/1895, Asst. DO Kikuyu; dep. Mombasa for Kikuyu 23/7/1895, arr. Fort Smith 17/8/1895; in charge of Masai at Ngongo Bagas 7 miles south of Kikuyu June 1896; based Kibwezi Mission Station Aug. 1897, Asst. Collector Ndi; dep. Mombasa as temp. Transport Officer for detachment of Indian Contingent going to Uganda 28/1/1898; on leave in UK at Sept. 1898; Acting Collector at Kitui 26/3/1899 to 30/6 1899; Shimoni, Wasin June, Dec 1899; Acting Collector Vanga Feb 1900; d. 31/5/1900, Shimoni, malaria
Curtis - p. 37 - Life at Fort Smith - '....... [1896 letter from Francis Hall to his father]] .. Martin and his wife came up and stayed here about 12 days. I gave them my quarters and we had a very jolly time. She is Portuguese but very nice; and plays, and sings in several languages, and as old Dugmore (in charge of the troops) has the American organ (that I brought out for him) up here, we had some musical evenings, Russell on the 1st whistle, Lane banjo and Mrs M. on the organ, while I occasionally had to warble as my share, and another fellow here, Trefusis, plays the autoharp very well. By-the-bye I shall be mentioning names you don't know, so I must tell you that two Mombasa firms have agents up here, living about 1000 yards from the Fort. Trefusis, a very good sort who has travelled the world, is one, and a man named Walsh with his wife for the other. Then we have one coffee planter, Kitchen, and Dr. Wallace's party just coming. Mr Wallace (brother) and his wife arrived about 10 days ago and Dr Boedecker and wife, and a Mr McQueen and wife are to arrive tomorrow. We shall then have 10 Europeans resident in Kikuyu.
Nicholls - When Edward Russell arrived to be Hall's assistant in 1894 Frank Hall became less lonely, for the two men got along famously. Hall found Russell 'always happy and jolly and takes kindly to the work'. On home leave in 1898, Hall married Russell's sister Beatrice and brought her out to Fort Smith the same year.
Ainsworth - when Govt. took over in 1895 - he was assistant to Frank Hall at Fort Smith.
Fitzgerald - Meteorological observations at Fort Smith in 1895.
EAHB 1905 - IBEA Co. General Africa Staff - appointed 12th October 1894
Gazette - 15-6-1900 - In the late Mr E.J.H. Russell who died at Shimoni on the 31st ult. The Administration loses a most capable and practical officer. He was in the service of the IBEA Company from 1894 being transferred to the Protectorate Staff in the following year. He was chiefly stationed in the Ukamba Province where his cheery good nature won him golden opinions from the Wakikuyu and Wakamba of the Kenia District. He was one of the most senior Assistant District Officers in the service and was on the eve of promotion when his untimely death took place.
Mombasa Cathedral plaque:  sacred to the memory of / Francis George Hall / District Officer East Africa Protectorate / who died at Fort Hall in the / Kenia District 18th March 1901 / aged 40 years also of his Brother-in-Law / Edward John Henderson Russell / Assistant District Officer East Africa / Protectorate who died at Shimoni / in the Vanga District 31st May 1900 / aged 28 years / this brass is erected as a tribute of / regard and affection by their numerous / friends in East Africa
 

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