Russell Imrie was born on 13th November 1910 at Lower Walton near Warrington. He was the son of James Rankin Imrie, who was born at Holytown near Motherwell in Lanarkshire and his wife Agnes Annie (nee Dean) who was from Over near Winsford. The father was a clerk employed by the Manchester Ship Canal Company at Preston Brook.
The 1911 Census recorded the family living on Morley Road in Lower Walton, the parents having four children, James who was 5 years old, Agnes Annie who was 4 years old, John who was 2 years old and Russell who was 5 months old. The father was a shipping clerk. During the next few years three more children were born to the Imrie family: Benjamin, David, and Jeannie (who sadly died at one year old). David would also serve in World War Two.
The 1921 Census recorded the Imrie family residing at Tunnel End in Preston Brook where the father continued to work as a canal carrier’s clerk. James was working as a solicitor’s clerk and Agnes helped her mother at home. The other four boys were at school. Later the family moved to Norton Cottages.
In 1938 Russell Imrie married Faith Billington who was born at Lymm. They would have three children.
The 1939 Register recorded Russell and Faith as living on Denver Road in Latchford with one of their children. Russell was working for a paper bag manufacturer.
By 1946 Russell and Faith and their young family were living with his parents at Brook House in Preston Brook.
Agnes Annie and James Rankin Imrie passed away in 1958 and 1959 respectively.
Russell Imrie passed away at the age of 62 years in July 1973 and was buried at Fox Covert Cemetery in Appleton near Warrington, where Faith was also buried when she passed away in July 2007.
It is not known in which branch of H.M. Forces he served but he appeared in an article in the Warrington Guardian in June 1946 about Victory Celebrations in Preston Brook.
If anyone has any knowledge of his WW2 service, please contact Daresbury district Heritage Group.
