Harold Ross
From Our Contribution
| (aka Harold Nielson) | |
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Oct 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Hastings, Victoria |
| Death | 8 Jun 1917 |
| Place of Death | Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5'7¾" (1.72m) tall; weight 128 lbs (58.1kg); dark complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Sister (twin) Mrs Grace Sykes |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 14576 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Dec 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 10h Field Company, Engineers |
| Date of Embarkation | 11 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A44 Vestalia |
| Fate | Killed in Action 8 Jun 1917 Messines |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Menin Gate Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Harold enlisted in Sydney. Entered camp on 18 Dec 1915, and on 6 Jan 1916 was allocated to the Miners, and sent to the Engineers' Depot at Moore Park.
While preparing to go to France, Harold had some issues with military discipline.
On 3 Dec 1916 he was charged with being absent from a Church Parade on 26 Nov 1916. For this he was awarded 24 hours detention! Soon after, on 17 Dec 1916 at the Engineer training Depot at Brightlingsea, Harold was found guilty of: 1) Neglect of duty; and 2) AWOL from 11:45 on 11 Dec 1916 to 8:00am on 12 Dec 1916. This time he was awarded 168 hours (7 days) detention, with forfeiture of 12 days pay.
Not yet prepared to bend to military discipline, on 8 Jan 1917 he was found guilty of being AWOL from 9:30 on New Years Eve , until he surrendered at 10:00am on 5 Jan 1917. This time he received 7 days Field Punishment No.2, with a total of 15 days forfeiture of pay.
Next, Harold reported ill and was sent to Colchester Hospital on 19 Feb 1917, remaining there until 21 Mar 1917 when he reported back to the Engineers Training Depot.
On 29 Mar 1917 Harold proceeded overseas from Folkestone, and after a few days in the Base Depot at Étaples, was taken on strength by the 10th Field Company on 9 Apr 1917. Before he had settled in he was off to hospital again on 1 May 1917 via the 3/2nd Lancashire Field Ambulance who passed him on next day to the 7th General Hospital at St Omer where he was treated for mumps.
Discharged from the 7th General Hospital on 20 May 1917, he rejoined his unit 3 days later. On 8 Jun 1917 Harold was reported to have been Wounded in action. On 30 Jun 1917 his status was changed from WIA to Killed in action 8 Jun 1917.
Newspaper reports that Sapper Harold Ross from Jarrahdale has been previously reported to be seriously ill, but in fact had been wounded for a third time.[1] This seems to be at odds with the facts as he was a casualty of hostile acts on only one occassion - when he was deemed to have been KIA.
Notes
On file there is a letter from his niece June Sykes dated 13 Jan 1960 that implies that he had originally enlisted in WA with the 10th Light Horse Regiment under his birth name of Harold Neilson. Ross was apparently his mother's maiden name.
- ↑ Kalgoorlie Sun 15 Jul 1917 p.3