Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Oswald Ross, Law was born the 13th of November 1890 in Sydney, New South Wales. Prior to the war Oswald worked as a journalist. Oswald was unmarried with no children when joining the war. Oswald had grey eyes and dark hair; he was 5 foot 9 tall (179cm) with a weight of 151 ibs (68kg). Oswald’s parents were Oswald Palmer Law and Mary Howard Law. Oswald went to school at Videtto College located in Victoria. 

After leaving Geelong the 27th Battalion went to Egypt and trained in harsh conditions. Then arrived at Anzac Cove on 12th of September where he stayed until the end of the Gallipoli Campaign. The 27th Battalion’s job was to defend Cheshire Ridge. Throughout the month of October, they bravely defended the Ridge.

Gallipoli was very harsh for the 27th Battalion because of the poor hygiene and extreme conditions like cramped, unsanitary conditions, disease, stenches, daily death of other soldiers, terrible food lack of sleep and fresh water.  The trenches were narrow and crowded and many soldiers developed trench foot from the damp muddy conditions. But Oswald was lucky and didn’t contract any of these. While on Gallipoli, Oswald was promoted to Lance Corporal, then Corporal and finally Sergeant by the end of October. 

After the evacuation, Oswald returned to Egypt and from there was sent to France in March 1916. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the 48th Battalion on the 3rd of August. But he served only a very brief period with that unit. In fighting near Pozières on 14th August he was killed in action. After his death the Army sent back socks, photos, telegrams, books, letters, 2 testaments, 1 pocketknife, 1 shirt, 1 muffler and 1 coin to his widowed next of kin Mary Howard law (mother). Oswald Ross was remembered “as a soldier and a man”. Rest in peace Oswald Ross Law.

"LIEUTENANT ROSS LAW KILLED IN ACTION

A LIFE'S EXAMPLE IN THOROUGHNESS.

A full realisation of the terrible tragedy of war was brought home to members of the staff of "The Daily Herald" yesterday on receipt of the sad news that one of their number, Lieutenant Ross Law, had made the supreme sacrifice, having been killed in action on the western front. His widowed mother, Mrs. O. P. Law, of Richmond, received the fateful message by cable on Tuesday night, and to her and the other members of the family his old comrades on this paper extend the sincerest sympathy that human hearts can feel. They knew him to be a model son, a manly man, and a faitliful and reliable colleague, who could be relied on in any circum- stances in which he was placed to do his duty to the utmost of his ability. Thus it was that he realised what he considered to be his duty in responding to the nation's call to arms, and so has laid down his life.

It seems but yesterday since the young soldier, in the full strength of vigorous manhood, was farewelled in this office, and hearty expressions were voiced for his future welfare. All the remarks so earnestly expressed were received with a gentle modesty which was one of the chief characteristics of his unassuming disposition. He seemed fully determined to follow the course he was taking with a full recognition of its seriousness, and that he rigidly continued to pursue in mili- tary life the spirit of thoroughness which made him so successful a pressman was shown by his rapid promotion from the ranks. It is only within the past few weeks that a feeling of pride prevailed among his old friends at hearing that he had been gazetted as a first lieutenant. That pride, though still undiminished, is now tempered with sorrow and regret that he should have been cut off in a career which showed such promise.

Soon after the outbreak of war, with the object of widening his experience, he took a trip through America and the old country. While in England he saw something of the military operations, and when in London indicated to a friend his intention to join the Australian forces. This intention was put into practical effect soon after his return home. Ross, as he was familiarly known by his colleagues and friends, was born in a suburb of Sydney 23 years ago. He was the son of Mr. O. P. Law, a well-known pressman, who was for many years sub-editor of the Ballarat "Courier," subsequently editor of the Hobart Labor paper, the"Daily Post," and who died about three years ago. It was with his father on the "Daily Post", that Ross served his apprenticeship to journalism, and feeling it necessary to seek wider fields he came over to the mainland about five years ago, and joined the this paper. His colleagues well remember his arrival on an Adelaide Show day, and how he at once got into harness and started work with an earnestness and keenness which stamped him at once as a man to be depended upon. This impression was immediately forced on all who came in contact with him, and no one had ever any reason thereafter to doubt its correctness. He was a living embodiment of the text, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." This alone, apart from the many manly attributes he possessed, would be sufficient to make his name an honored and a sacred memory among all who had the privilege of his friendship. His ability and reliability as a journalist soon found favor in this office, and though joining the staff as a junior he rapidly rose to the position of a senior reporter and assistant sub-editor. It was fondly hoped that he would return and continue to adorn with credit the more peaceful profession of a pressman, and with this end in view the board of directors of "The Herald" gave him the assurance when he departed that his place would be kept open for him. That, of course, is not necessary now, but there is one place that will ever remain open and unoccupied - a place of honor, love, and respect in the hearts of his old comrades. He is the first Adelaide press-man killed in action.

The chairman of the board of directors of "The Daily Herald" (Mr. I MacGillivray, M.P.), expressed deep sympathy when told the sad news. He remarked:- "Having lost a son myself in similar circumstances, I can sympathise keenly with Mrs. Law and all the late soldier's comrades. As a member of the literary staff of 'The Daily Herald' the late soldier was held in high esteem by members of the board, and they regarded him as a man who had the interests of the paper at heart, and one who did excellent work for it. All honor to his memory"." - from the Adelaide Daily Herald 14 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)