ROSS, Baird Kelso
| Service Number: | 6895 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 March 1917, 19th Reinforcements |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Harrow, 28 December 1859 |
| Home Town: | Harrow, Southern Grampians, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Builder |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Goroke, West Wimmera - Victoria, Australia, 29 February 1936, aged 76 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Mar 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6895, 24th Infantry Battalion, 19th Reinforcements | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 6895, 24th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Apr 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 6895, 24th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Baird Kelso ROSS, nicknamed 'BK' was a builder in Horsham when he enlisted in 1917, stating his age as 44 years. He was in fact 58 years old.
He had previous service in the pre Federation Colonial Forces (to be verified). Family anecdote has it that he was the First Victorian to join Imperial forces in NSW and fought in Sudan/Boer War.
He was allocated to the 24th Infantry Battalion, 19th reinforcements but he was never to see active service with it.
After Basic Training at Broadmeadows, he embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 11 May 1917.
His first stop was the large Australian training camp on the Salisbury Palin, based around the village of Fovant, from July of 1917. Soldiering is a young man's game and it wasn't long before the training began taking its toll of 'BK's' health and well being, with admissions to hospital for a range of maladies evident in his file.
Eventually the authorities worked out that this tall imposing man was much older than he had stated - 15 years older in fact making him over-age for continued service. He was returned to Australia for medical dishcarge being 'over-age' for active service.
Part of the Mortat Station was divided by goverment and given to Soldier Settlers after 1st World War. BK settled there with his family and established ‘FOVANT FARM’, named no doubt for his great adventure in the UK in 1917.
He was the patriarch of a large family;
Immediate Family:
Son of William Bruce Ross and Elizabeth Jean Ross
Husband of Elizabeth Sarah Ross
Father of Annie Vera Valentine Ross; William Baird Bruce Ross; David Bruce Ross; Elizabeth Buchanan; Archibald Baird Ross and 2 others
Brother of Jeanie Baird Ross; Alexander Bridge Ross; William Baird Ross; Jessie Baird Ross; Elizabeth Baird Rodgers and 1 other
Click images to start slideshow.