Rundle, Cadet Russell Kerslake

Service highlights

  • Service number: 152431
  • Rank: Cadet
  • Branch: Royal Flying Corps
  • Enlisted: October 1917, Pembroke
  • Training: basic training and ground school at Long Branch
  • Posted for flight training: Fort Worth, reported 17 January 1918
  • Qualified to fly solo within weeks of starting training
  • Died January 31 1918
  • Returned home and buried with military honours in St. Marys Cemetery
  • His grave is maintained as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  • Commemorated on the cenotaphs at Rannoch and St. Marys

A Life and Service Remembered

Russell Kerslake Rundle was born in Blanshard Township on 9 March 1897. In 1905, he moved with his parents to St. Marys, where he grew up and attended St. Marys Collegiate.

Before the war pulled him in another direction, Russell was building a steady future. After graduating, he worked as an apprentice pharmacist with Gregory and Jury of Stratford, then continued his path through Owen Sound and on to Pembroke, completing two years of internship in preparation for formal training in pharmacy. It is easy to picture the shape of the life he was aiming for: practical work, long hours, and a profession rooted in care for others.

In October 1917 he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. After training in Ontario, he was home in St. Marys for Christmas with his parents, a brief pause before he left for Texas to continue flying instruction. Only weeks later, still new to the air and with little time to build experience, his training ended in tragedy. He was flying over Camp Bowie observing man oeuvres in a practice trench system when he turned back and lost control over his plane. He was killed instantly in the accident.

Russell was survived by his parents, Thomas J. and Martha Jane Rundle of Widder Street East, his younger brother Lawrence, and two sisters, Clara and Florence. His name remains were brought home for burial and he is commemorated at the cenotaphs in both Rannoch and St. Marys.

Major battles and operations

Russell did not reach overseas service or operational combat. His wartime experience was training service, at a time when flight instruction was dangerous and accidents were common.

Key locations connected to his service:

  • Pembroke, Ontario: enlistment
  • Long Branch, Ontario: basic training and ground school
  • Fort Worth, Texas: Royal Flying Corps School
  • Camp Bowie, Texas: observation flight over trench manoeuvre practice area
  • Benbrook, Texas: loss of control while returning to the airfield, fatal crash during training

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