| Regimental number | 113 |
| Place of birth | Bundaberg, Queensland |
| School | North Bundaberg and South East State Schools, Queensland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Stewart Street, North Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 151 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, W. Ross, Stewart Street, North Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Served in the Cadets and the Light Horse. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 31st Battalion, Machine Gun Section |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| The Machine Gun Section of 31st Bn left from Melbourne on two ships, HMAT A62 'Wandilla', embarking on 9 November 1915, and HMAT A41 'Bakara', embarking on 5 November 1915. From the Embarkation Rolls it is not possible to distinguish on which ship an individual sailed. | |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A61 Bakara on |
| The Machine Gun Section of 31st Bn left from Melbourne on two ships, HMAT A62 'Wandilla', embarking on 9 November 1915, and HMAT A41 'Bakara', embarking on 5 November 1915. From the Embarkation Rolls it is not possible to distinguish on which ship an individual sailed. | |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | 113A |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 23), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 179 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William and Ellen ROSS, Stewart Street, North Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Family/military connections | Cousin: 1098 Pte Herbert Thomas ROLLINSON, 42nd Bn, died of disease, 12 December 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Melbourne, November 1915; disembarked Alexandria, 7 December 1915. Transferred to 8th Machine Gun Company, Tel el Kebir, 9 March 1916, and taken on strength, 11 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Killed in action, 20 July 1916. Statement, Red Cross File No 2360602, 121 Sergeant W. RUSSELL, 8th Machine Gun Bn, 21 January 1917: 'He was in my gun team on the 19th July at Fromelles and was killed about 6 p.m. on the evening of the 19th July 1916.' Second Statement, 91 Sergeant A. PETERS, 8th Machine Gun Bn, 9 January 1917: 'He was killed on our parapet at Flore Bay (sic).' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ROSS John Valentine
Red Cross File No 2360602 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
