D135305 Rifleman David Russman was born in Pinsk, Brest, Belarus (formerly Poland) on 10 December 1945, the son of Jacob Russman and Ida. He came from a large Jewish family of 5 brothers (two also served in WWII) and two sisters. He attended Commercial High School in Montreal, Quebec, and spoke Hebrew and English.

Russman worked as a typographer for Printer & Engravers Limited in Montreal when he enlisted for his compulsory service with the Canadian Artillery on 9 April 1942. He trained in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and continued beyond his 30 days with various postings to different artillery units – primarily anti-aircraft batteries. On 11 November 1943, he was appointed Lance Bombardier.

On 6 December 1943, he transferred to active service with a note on his attestation form in red that he was “Restricted to non-sensitive units, Service anywhere including overseas”, presumably because he’d been born in what was now part of the USSR. He reverted to the rank of gunner on 22 April 1944.

Russman arrived overseas on 29 August 1944, in France on 1 October, remustered to the Infantry on 5 October and was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles 5 days later. He would serve with them through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Rifleman Russman was killed in action on 3 March 1945, aged 24.  He is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VII. H. 4. His family had the following engraved on his marker:

HERE WE CRY
WITH HEART’S ENDEAVOUR,
GRANT HIM REST
THAT IS FOR EVER