Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper Clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me. From the Annie Boyes collection courtesy of the Simcoe County Archives. http://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/arc

Group Photo – Walter Ross and son Major Jack Ross

Photo of JOHN ALEXANDER ROSS – Major John Alexander Ross is about 10 rows back on horseback.

Photo of JOHN ALEXANDER ROSS – Major John Alexander Ross

Newspaper clipping – Lethbridge Herald newspaper

Memorial – Inscription - Vimy Memorial … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens ... May 2022

Memorial – Mourning Mother - Vimy Memorial … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens ... May 2022

Photo of John Alexander Ross – 915 Major John Alexander Ross (RMC 1911-1914) was born 20/10/1893 in Kenora, Ontario, Canada, the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He studied at the Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario. At RMC his nickname was Oley. He played on the football team and gym team. His strengths were shooting and riding. His father's illness necessitated his resigning in his final year. When he enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force he listed his occupation as rancher. He enlisted on December 1, 1914. He served in the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) 24th Battalion. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He died on September 17, 1916 in Courcelette, France at 22 years of age, a casualty of the First World War. His name is inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais France with those of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. He was commemorated on Page 157 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. The Stone Frigate, 1914 http://www.archive.org/details/stonefrigate191400kinguoft

Photo of John Alexander Ross – 915 Major John Alexander Ross (RMC 1911-1914) was born 20/10/1893 in Kenora, Ontario, Canada, the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He studied at the Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario. At RMC his nickname was Oley. He played on the football team and gym team. His strengths were shooting and riding. His father's illness necessitated his resigning in his final year. When he enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force he listed his occupation as rancher. He enlisted on December 1, 1914. He served in the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) 24th Battalion. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He died on September 17, 1916 in Courcelette, France at 22 years of age, a casualty of the First World War. His name is inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais France with those of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. He was commemorated on Page 157 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. The Stone Frigate, 1914 http://www.archive.org/details/stonefrigate191400kinguoft

Biography – Stone Frigate 1918 Royal Military College of Canada 915 Major John Alexander Ross DSO (RMC 1913) was the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), 24th Bn. He was awarded Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. He died 17 Sep 1916 in Courcelette France. His name is listed on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

Memorial – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 915 Major John Aalexander Ross DSO (RMC 1913) was the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), 24th Bn. He was awarded Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. He died 17 Sep 1916 in Courcelette France. His name is listed on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

Memorial Stained Glass – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 915 Major John Aalexander Ross DSO (RMC 1913) was the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), 24th Bn. He was awarded Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. He died 17 Sep 1916 in Courcelette France. His name is listed on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

Doll – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 915 Major John Aalexander Ross DSO (RMC 1913) was the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross of Lethbridge, Alberta. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), 24th Bn. He was awarded Distinguished Service Order, "For conspicuous gallantry. He volunteered for and carried out with another officer, a very dangerous reconnaissance in face of heavy fire and secured information of the utmost value regarding the enemy." London Gazette # 29637, dated 24 June 1916. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13 November 1916, London Gazette # 29890 dated 4 January 1917. He was awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. He died 17 Sep 1916 in Courcelette France. His name is listed on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

Memorial Arch – 915 Major John Alexander (Jack) Ross DSO is listed on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. He was a very good student, graduating from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. As his remains were never recovered or identified, he is remembered on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. In addition to the Distinguished Service Order, Jack Ross was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. On the 15 June 1924 this memorial arch was unveiled to honour fallen classmates at the Royal Military College of Canada and was dedicated by the Right Reverend Dr Bidwell, Lord Bishop of Ontario.

Memorial – Memorial Arch, Royal Military College, Kingston

Memorial – Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston

Inscription – Major John Alexander Ross (RMC 1914) was born on October 20, 1893 in Kenora, Ontario to parents Walter and Grace Ross. The Ross family moved to southern Alberta, where Jack grew up with his brother, George. Walter Ross and his sons owned one of the largest cattle ranches in Canada. Known as Ollie to his friends, Jack was a very popular young man in the community. He was also a very good student, graduating from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. On December 10, 1914, Jack Ross was commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant in the 24th Battalion CEF Victoria Rifles. He rose quickly through the ranks, to Captain, and then on to Major, before leaving for overseas service. Major Ross arrived in England in May 1915 and proceeded to France on September 17, 1915. By June 1916, he was decorated for gallantry, receiving the Distinguished Service Order for a dangerous reconnaissance mission he had undertaken. Major Ross served with his men on the frontlines in France and Belgium for exactly one year when tragedy struck. On September 17, 1916, during intense fighting near Courcelette, Major Ross was hit in the neck with a piece of shrapnel. He refused to leave his men, and instead led a charge on enemy lines. Only four men from his company would survive the battle. At first, Major Ross was believed to be a German P.O.W., but later that day, his status would be changed to missing and presumed dead. As his remains were never recovered or identified, he is remembered on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. In addition to the Distinguished Service Order, Jack Ross was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His father, Walter received the death plaque and scroll in honour of his son. http://digitallibrary.uleth.ca/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/cenotaph&CISOPTR=176&CISOBOX=1&REC=5

Vimy Memorial – 915 Major John Alexander Ross (RMC 1911-1914) was the son of Walter and Grace Graham Ross. He was a member of the class of 1914 at the Royal Military College of Canada. He served with the 24th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). He died on September 17, 1916 in Courcelette, France at 22 years of age, a casualty of the First World War. He is listed on the memorial arch at the Royal Military College of Canada. He is listed on the Vimy Memorial. Photograph and details by volunteer/s: David Milborrow.