Sash worn by Captain Sir Charles Russell VC, 1st (or Grenadier) Regiment of Foot Guards, 1846 (c)

Russell (1826-1883) was first commissioned as an ensign in the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot on 25 August 1843, becoming a lieutenant on 9 June 1846. He transferred to the Grenadier Guards in 1847 and was promoted lieutenant and captain on 13 September 1853 and major on 2 November 1855. He retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1868.

During the Crimean War (1854-1856) he served at the Battles of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman. He was a brevet major in the 3rd Battalion when he was awarded the VC for the following action: 'On 5 November 1854, Brevet Major Russell offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sandbag Battery if anyone would follow him. A sergeant and two privates (Anthony Palmer) - one of whom was subsequently killed - were the first to volunteer. The party met much resistance and several times seemed to be on the point of annihilation but their skill, especially with the bayonet, finally brought success. Major Russell himself fought with great valour and in single combat wrenched the rifle out of the grasp of a powerful Russian'.