The man behind the statue

A bronze statue of Major General Sir Andrew Russell, one of Hawke's Bay's most decorated sons, now officially resides on Russell St after a formal dedication on ANZAC Day.

Andrew Hamilton Russell, known to his family and friends as Guy, was born in Napier in 1868.

His father, Colonel A. H. Russell, had arrived in New Zealand as a soldier but left the army to take up farming in Hawke’s Bay.

The young Andrew Russell spent his early childhood at Redclyffe, near the Tutaekuri River, west of Taradale.

He was educated at Twyford preparatory school and Harrow in England, and attended the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. He left the latter with the Sword of Honour, awarded to the top cadet of the year.

He spent five years with the British Army in India and Burma in the 1st Border Regiment and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

He resigned his commission and returned to New Zealand and followed his love of farming as a cadet, then manager and finally owner of the family land at Twyford and Tunanui.

In 1896 he married Gertrude Williams, daughter of J. N. Williams, of Frimley.Together they raised a family of two sons and three daughters.

In 1912/13 they build the homestead at Tuna Nui, designed by architect C. T. Natusch.

During WWI (July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918), Sir Andrew earned a high reputation for his tactical skills, insistence on strict discipline, care for his men and his personal courage.

Under his leadership the New Zealand force was regarded as one of the finest in the allied army and fought with distinction in the major battles at Messines, Passchendaele and the Battle of the Somme.

He fashioned a distinguished war record first on Gallipoli, where his abilities were such that he was put in charge of the ANZAC Rear Guard during the final 48 hours of the highly successful evacuation.

Following that compaign he was awarded the KCMG (Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George), promoted to the rank of Major General, and made commander of the New Zealand Division which was sent to fight in France and Belgium under overall British command.

Russell St in Hastings is named for Major General Sir Andrew Russell.

Casting the statue was made possible through the efforts of the Russell family of Sherenden, the Lotteries Commission, artist Margriet Windhausen, and caster Ross Wilson.

4 October 2017

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