Russell was the son of Robert Moore of 1903 Cowan Street, Victoria, British Columbia and Mary Moore, of 21 Salisbury Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Before his enlistment, Russell served in the 11th Regiment of Irish Fusiliers of Canada, a local militia unit, and worked as an automobile driver. The local newspaper reported his affinity for athletics and his popularity amongst other young people in his area.

He enlisted on March 18, 1915 in New Westminster, British Columbia, in the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and was then transferred to the 2nd Company of the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion. His service records, and an article in the local paper, the Daily Colonist, report him as being treated for apparent severe shrapnel wounds to the face, hands and legs, sustained on the 14th May 1916. He then re-joined his unit in July, and in August 1916 found himself in Courcelette, in the Somme theatre.

On the morning of October 8th, an assault was carried out by Russell's battalion to the north of Courcelette, and in the aftermath, he was reported as missing in action. On the same evening, he was discovered on the battlefield severely wounded. He was evacuated but died of his wounds some time between that day and the next, at the age of nineteen.

He was later reburied in ADANAC Military Cemetery, his remains identified by a cross marking his grave.