Russell Jolly was born on January 5, 1925, the son of Stuart and Jane Jolly, of 436 South Russell Street, Sarnia. He had two brothers, Orville and James, and during the war James was a Leading Aircraftman with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Russell also had one sister, Lois. Russell was educated in the public schools and Sarnia Collegiate in Sarnia. Before enlisting, he was employed by the Canadian Bread Company as a baker. Single at the time, he enlisted in the Canadian Army at London, Ontario on July 3, 1943. He went overseas as a member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. as a Rifleman in March 1944.
Russell Jolly would lose his life two days after D-Day, on June 8, 1944 during the Battle of Normandy in the invasion of France. In late June of 1944, parents Stuart and Jane Jolly in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing them that their son, Private Russell E. Jolly, was killed in action during the invasion of France on June 8. Russell Jolly would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (France). In early March of 1945, Private Russell Jolly along with First Class Stoker Wallace Horley (included in this project), were honoured at a memorial service at Devine Street United Church. Both men were members of the congregation and both had died recently while on active service. Nineteen year-old Russell Jolly is buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France, Grave V.C.15. On Russell Jolly’s headstone are inscribed the words, In the garden of memory we meet every day. Sleep on dear son till we meet again.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, 2C, 2D