ROSS Benjamin

Benjamin (Ben) Ross was born at Tewantin on 22 May 1882 to Clarence Ross and Elizabeth (nee Gould). In 1912 Ben married Sarah Eliza Rebecca Ferguson the daughter of Joseph Ferguson and Eliza (nee Sargeant).

Ben enlisted at Brisbane on 10 September 1915 with 26th Battalion 9th Reinforcements of the AIF. The 26th Battalion was raised at Enoggera, Queensland in April 1915 and formed part of the 7th Brigade. On enlistment, Ben was described as aged 33 years and 4 months, 5 feet 9 inches tall of olive complexion with brown eyes and dark hair and of the Church of England faith. His next of kin was his wife Sarah.

After initial training, Ben embarked on HMAT "Wandilla" on 31 January 1916 bound for Egypt. He was transferred to the 32nd Battalion at Duntroon Plateau Egypt as supernumerary and taken on strength on 6 April 1916 and commenced additional training. Here the allied armies were encamped to defend the Suez Canal against attack by the Turks. As well as training, trenches had to be dug and roads and railways constructed. The 32nd Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Adelaide on 9 August 1915. The 8th Brigade joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt and proceeded to France in June 1916 for the Western Front.

On 13 May 1916 at Ferry Post on the Suez Canal, Ben was transferred to 29th Battalion. On 28 May they route marched to Moascar where he was promoted to Driver "D" Company on 6 June 1916. The unit left by train for Alexandria on 15 June 1916 to embark on the "Tunisian" to join the BEF O/C Troops in France. The 29th Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Broadmeadows, Victoria and also joined the 5th Australian Division in Egypt. The 29th fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19th July 1916.

Ben Ross disembarked at Marseilles on 23 June 1916. After having been billeted at Hasebruck the unit marched to Erquinghem on 9 July. On 14-15 July they evacuated the trenches at White Cliffs on the Bois Grenier line, south of Armentieres, and marched to Fleurbaux billets, then to billets at Laventine. On 14 July Ben Ross reverted to the ranks.

On 19 July the unit, then at Cellar Farm south of Armentieres, received an order to send "D" Company to the front trench and "C" Company to support line. Parties of "D" and "C" were to go over No Mans Land. Ben Ross was reported missing 19-20 July 1916.

Later to be known as the Battle of Fromelles, the night of 19 July, with so many casualties, was one of the worst in Australia's battle history. By 8 a.m. on 20 July the battle was over. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties. Of the 29th Battalion, the Commanding Officer Lt. Col. AW Bennett reported the casualties from Cellar Farm as 8 officers and 240 other ranks, including 66 missing.

Ben Ross was officially reported a Prisoner of War in Germany on 31 January 1917. A report from Germany dated 31 August 1916 shows Pte Ben Ross, at St Clotilde Hospital Douai, was captured at Armentieres France on 20 July 1916 with bullet wounds to upper legs. He was reportedly transferred to Garrison Lazarett Aachen, the report dated 7 September 1916. AIF reported that Ben was transferred to Wahn Rald 12 December 1916. A further report of 22 August 1917 states that he was transferred then to Limburg Germany. A document from Limburg dated 17 November 1917 records the place of capture as Floberg, Belgium on 28 July 1916.

On 13 January 1918, Ben was repatriated and transferred to Holland. He arrived in England to be admitted to 1st London General Hospital at Camberwell on 20 January to be treated for a severe shrapnel wound to the thigh. On 7 February he transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield from which he was discharged on 16 February. Ben returned to Australia on 12 May on the "Rauhine" for discharge, to disembark on 5 July 1918. After further treatment for gun shot wound to the right foot and a severed sciatic nerve he was discharged on 25 July 1918.

Ben returned to Tewantin to work as an Oysterman. He passed away on 11 July 1950, aged 68 - the cause shown as War injuries. He is buried in the RSL section of Tewantin Cemetery. His wife Sarah passed away in 1980.

Ben and Sarah had at least 4 children, Benjamin Joseph Clarence (1913), Phyllis Rebecca (reg 1916 - died 1917), Keith (1917) and William (1919).

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin

Tewantin District Cenotaph, Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin

Diggers image: AWM Image No. P00063.007
Description: Studio portrait of an Australian prisoner of war (POW) 3890 Private (Pte) Benjamin (Ben) Ross, 29th Battalion who was a 33 year old labourer from Tewantin, Queensland when he enlisted and embarked for overseas from Brisbane on 31 October 1915 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was wounded by shrapnel in both thighs and captured at Armentieres, France, on 20 July 1916. After being held as a POW in various camps in Germany, he was transferred to Holland and then admitted to the 1st London General Hospital in England on 20 January 1918 for further treatment for his wounds. Pte Ross arrived back in Australia on 5 July 1918. Written on the back of this photograph is "To Steve Hall with the best of wishes and luck for all times Ben Ross". Steve Hall was a fellow POW, see image P00063.027.
Image No. P03236.004
Description: Distributing Red Cross parcels to allied Prisoners Of War (POW) at Kriegsgefstammlager (camp) at Limburg am Lahn, Germany. Identified, on the far left is 3890 Private (Pte) Benjamin (Ben) Ross, 29th Battalion, from Tewantin, Queensland who enlisted at the age of 33 on 10 September 1915 and embarked for overseas on 31 October 1915 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was wounded with shrapnel in both thighs and captured at Armentieres, France, on 20 July 1916. He was held as a POW until he was transferred to Holland and then onto England, arriving on 20 January 1918. Pte Ross arrived back in Australia on 5 July 1918. Identified, second from the right on crutches is 88 Pte Bertram Edward Hoult, 26th Battalion, from Nanango, Queensland who has his left leg amputated below the knee. Pte Hoult enlisted at the age of 21 on 1 February 1915 and embarked for overseas on 24 May 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius. He was slightly wounded and captured at Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916 and while being held as a POW was required to work in an iron mine at Beirsdorf, Germany. An accident in the mine when a wagon came off the rails and crushed his foot caused a severe injury. After blood poisioning set in, his left leg was amputated. He was also transferred to Holland and then repatriated to England, arriving on 23 February 1918 and receiving further medical treatment. Pte Hoult arrived back in Australia on 15 December 1919. One of a series of over 400 photographs sent by Australian POWs in German camps to Miss M. E. Chomley, Secretary, Prisoners Department, Australian-British Red Cross Society, London. Original album housed in AWM Research Centre at RC00864, Album image number 13. (Admin: We think that Ben Ross is standing on the far right not left.)
AWM Image P03236.017
Description: Outdoor portrait of Prisoners of War (POW) at Stammlager POW camp, Limburg, Germany. Identified sitting on the far left is 88 Private (Pte) Bertram Edward Hoult, 26th Battalion, from Nanango, Queensland who has his left leg amputated below the knee. Pte Hoult enlisted at the age of 21 on 1 February 1915 and embarked for overseas on 24 May 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius. He was slightly wounded and captured at Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916 and while being held as a POW was required to work in an iron mine at Beirsdorf, Germany. An accident in the mine when a wagon came off the rails and crushed his foot caused a severe injury. After blood poisioning set in, his left leg was amputated. He was transferred to Holland and then repatriated to England, arriving on 23 February 1918 and receiving further medical treatment. Pte Hoult arrived back in Australia on 15 December 1919. Identified sitting second from the right is 3890 Pte Benjamin Ross, 29th Battalion, from Tewantin, Queensland who enlisted at the age of 33 on 10 September 1915 and embarked for overseas on 31 October 1915 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was wounded with shrapnel in both thighs and captured at Armentieres, France, on 20 July 1916. He was held as a POW until he was also transferred to Holland and then onto England, arriving on 20 January 1918. Pte Ross arrived back in Australia on 5 July 1918. One of a series of over 400 photographs sent by Australian POWs in German camps to Miss M. E. Chomley, Secretary, Prisoners Department, Australian-British Red Cross Society, London. Original album housed in AWM Research Centre at RC00864, Album image number 13. (Admin: We think that Ben Ross is seated on the far right.)

NAA
AWM
Unit Diaries
Official Histories
Red Cross File
Noosa cemeteries
Family History
Qld BDM