The AIF Project

Thomas Ewen ROSS

Regimental number122
Place of birthSale, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressTarwin, South Gippsland, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 10.75"
Weight192 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs J Ross, Tarwin, South Gippsland, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date16 September 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll1 October 1914
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name14th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/31/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 12 May 1919
Discharge date18 July 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 12 April 1915.

Wounded in action, Gallipoli, 16 May 1915, and admitted to Hospital Ship 'Galeka' the same day (bullet wound, arm); transferred to Glynmenopouio Hospital, Alexandria, 28 May 1915; to Convalescent Camp, Mustapha, 27 August 1915.

Proceeded overseas to Gallipoli, 4 September 1915 (Class A); rejoined unit, 10 September 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 1 January 1916.

Promoted Lance Corporal, Tel el Kebir, 18 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 1 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 8 June 1916.

Wounded in action (2nd occasion), 5 July 1916; admitted to No 4 Australian Field Ambulance, 5 July 1916 (bomb wounds, right knee); transferred to No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, 5 July 1916; to No 30 General Hospital, Calais, 6 July 1916; to England, 10 July 1916; to No 2 Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh, no date stated; to No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, 21 July 1916; discharged to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 31 July 1916.

Marched out to 4th Training Bn, 12 September 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 30 September 1916; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 1 October 1916.

Proceeded to unit, 16 October 1916; rejoined 14th Bn, France, 17 October 1916.

Admitted to No 4 Australian Field Ambulance, 12 December 1916, and transferred to Anzac Corps Rest Station the same day (septic feet); discharged to duty, 19 December 1916; rejoined unit, 22 December 1916.

Promoted Temporary Corporal, 26 December 1916.

Admitted to No 13 Australian Field Ambulance (sore feet); transferred to Anzac Corps Rest Station, 23 January 1916; rejoined unit, 23 January 1917.

Promoted Corporal, 18 February 1917.

Wounded in action (3rd occasion) and captured by German troops, 11 April 1917 (gunshot wound, left arm), but reported killed in action.

Now reported as Prisoner of War in Germany, 11 May 1917.

Repatriated to England, 26 December 1918.

Reported to Headquarters, 30 December 1918, and granted until 30 January 1919.

Granted a further 44 days' leave, 30 January 1919.

Found guilty, 18 March 1919, of being absent without leave from 1000 hours, 15 March 1919, until 1000 hours, 17 March 1919: award, reprimanded and total forfeiture of 2 days' pay.

Marched into Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery Concentration Camp, 19 March 1919.

Marched into No 4 Group, 10 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Napier', 12 May 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 2 July 1919; discharged Melbourne (termination of period of enlistment), 18 July 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Murdered by a demented farm-hand, 21 October 1930, who then shot and killed himself.

'Great Southern Star' (Gippsland): He was very modest about the soldiering part of his life, but he had had a hard time, especially at Gallipoli, for his weight dropped to about nine stone, and he usually turned to scale at about 13 stone. He was a general favourite with all; very even temprered, and always had a smile. He was never known to grumble, and his untimely end came as a great shock to his many friends, and cast a gloom over the whole district. He was a lover of home life, going out very little. He was a model husband and father, whose brief married life was extremely happy.' ['Reveille', 29 November 1930]
Date of death21 October 1930
SourcesNAA: B2455, ROSS Thomas Ewen

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