Name
Alexander Colin Ross
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/10/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
33199 (poss 33190)
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
2nd/6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CRUCIFIX CEMETERY, VENDEGIES-SUR-ECAILLON
A. 27.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Alexander Colin Ross (Colin Alex in some records) was born in 1891 in Hitchin and his parents were Colin and Alice Elizabeth) Ross (née Forrest), who had married on 29 January 1899 in St Marylebone Church, Marylebone Road, Westminster.
In 1895 the Kelly’s Directory recorded Alexander’s father at 74 Walsworth Road, Hitchin.
In 1901 the family were living at 56 St Phillips Road, Norwich, Norfolk. Present were both parents: Colin (64) and Alice (40 – although the age difference was on 20 years in their marriage records). Colin was an electric engineer. Their children were: Eleanor (18), Ronald (11) and Alexander (9).
The family has not been found in the 1911 census, however Alexander, now 19, was a soldier in the 16th Lancers and at the Camp or Hut Barracks, Remount Depot, Horse Infirmary, Shrapnel Barracks, Woolwich Common, Kent.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Hitchin, Herts. and he enlisted in Norwich, Norfolk.
Wartime Service
We know that Alexander was formerly 3327, 16th Lancers and as a serving soldier he went to France early landing in France on the 17 August 1914 according to his medal card.
In August 1914 the 16th Lancers were at the Curragh Camp, part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade in Cavalry Division. They boarded the ship “Indian” at North Wall, Dublin on 15 August 1914 and landed at Le Havre in France on 18 August 1914 – albeit Alexander appears to have landed the day before. On 6 September 1914 their Brigade transferred to “Gough’s Command” and on 15 September 1914 “Gough’s Command” became 2nd Cavalry Division.
We do not know when Alexander joined the 2nd/6th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, however her was wounded on 24 May 1918 and was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. It is quite possible that his transferred was when he returned to duty.
He was killed with the 2nd/6th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 24 October 1918 and was buried in Crucifix Cemetery, Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon, France.
Additional Information
After his death £34 4s 0d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Alice, on 24 March 1919. This amount included a war grant of £24 10s 0d.
His pension cards record Alice Elizabeth Ross as his mother and his dependant, living at 61 Livingstone Street, Norwich, Norfolk. She was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 13 May 1919.
