W.H. Russell Gould

Born on November 4, 1893 in Uxbridge, Ontario, Russell Gould attended Uxbridge Public School and Uxbridge Secondary School. As a strong student, Russ enrolled at the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1915 with a B.A. SC (Electrical Engineering Hons.) degree. Early in 1917 Russ was accepted for training with the Royal Naval Air Service and subsequently travelled to England aboard the H.M.T Megantic. HIs ground school training was taken at Reading College, progressing to flight training at Castle Bromich and Stratford on the Avon.

He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and in May 1917, he was sent to a RFC Training School which specialized in training Navigation and Bombing technique. In July he transferred to the 24th Training Squadron in Thetford, England, and transferred once again to the 73rd near Rugby, England. On the 7th of September, 1917, Russ was confirmed as a Flying Officer 2nd Lieut.

On September 15, 1917, Russ joined the 70th Squadron near Ypres, Belgium. The 70th Squadron flew Sopwith Camel airplanes, a single engine pilot only fighter.

On the 16th of September, while flying a fabric covered Sopwith Camel (serial #B2358) Walter goes missing. The intended targets on the mission were German Coastal Stations. Exact details are sparse but a message from a brother pilot stated they were attached by a German formation, and a plane thought to be his was seen in flames over Passchendaele. His body has never been found. In his short few days of service he was credited with bringing down 2 enemy aircraft.

His death was confirmed on September 26, 1917.

His name is memorialized on the Arras Flying Service Memorial in Arras, France and at the University of Toronto Soldiers Tower.

We Will Remember Them