James Wallace (Wallace) ROSS

ROSS, James Wallace

Service Number: VX104360
Enlisted: 15 August 1914, Lieut 70th and 52nd Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment)
Last Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Last Unit: 5th Infantry Battalion
Born: Ballarat, Victoria, 27 March 1892
Home Town: Coburg, Moreland, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Railway Dept bookkeeper
Died: Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Victoria, 4 August 1968, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne
Memorials:
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

15 Aug 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion, Lieut 70th and 52nd Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment)
21 Oct 1914: Embarked Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Orvieto, Melbourne
21 Oct 1914: Involvement Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orvieto embarkation_ship_number: A3 public_note: ''
25 Apr 1915: Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 5th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSWs right jaw, Stomach, back, both legs - severe
28 Apr 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 5th Infantry Battalion
31 Dec 1915: Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 5th Infantry Battalion, Due to severe wounding on Gallipoli

World War 2 Service

22 Sep 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, VX104360

Help us honour James Wallace Ross's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Evan Evans

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

It was a dark night – dawn was breaking, but had barely stained the sky. The silence was sometimes more frightening than the seemingly random noise of continued battle. A young soldier lay out in the open; multiple bullet wounds had deprived him of the strength to move. Face down, a million thoughts breaking more rapidly than the new day; he felt overwhelming loneliness as his men rushed forward. A sudden burst of incredible pain shattered his final moments of consciousness. Then it all went black…

Growing up in Ballarat had been a wonderful experience for James Wallace Ross. Born on 27 March 1892, and given the full name of James Wallace Ross, he was the eldest of nine children, and one of six sons born to James Ross and Flora McDonald. The family had the richest Scottish ancestry – their branch of Clan Ross came from the Isle of Skye, whilst Flora McDonald’s father came from Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands. It was a badge of pride for the entire family.

James Ross was a police constable in Ballarat. He constantly refused promotion, preferring to stay in Ballarat and educate his children. Initially living at 166 Lydiard Street, Wallace was the first of the family to be enrolled at the Macarthur Street State School.
After achieving his Merit Certificate, Wallace continued with secondary studies under the tutelage of Miss Joan Elizabeth Kennedy BA, who conducted matriculation classes at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute. He also attended the Ballarat High School, where he received a thorough grounding in commercial studies. Principal J. H. Refshauge was instantly impressed with the earnest young student.
When he secured a position as a clerk in the staff of the Victorian Railways at the District Superintendent's Office, Ballarat, Wallace chose not to complete his matriculation. He did, however, pursue advancement in local military circles. Beginning his training with school cadets, Wallace advanced through Senior Cadets and into the 70th Infantry Regiment. In 1911, with the inception of the universal training scheme, he was commissioned as a second-lieutenant and two years later received his full lieutenancy with the unit.
Wallace was also a member of the Ballarat North Recreation Club – he played pennant bowls alongside a number of young men who would later serve with distinction in the AIF – including Lyle Blackman, Elmo Blight, Wallace King and Phil Sherren.

After transferring to Melbourne with the railways, Wallace joined the 52nd Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment) at Hobson’s Bay. Although he lived in Cope St, Coburg, a considerable distance from the Drill Hall in Sturt Street, South Melbourne, the romance of the regiment appears to have been enough incentive to make the weekly trips across Melbourne.

When war was declared, mobilisation of the 52nd Infantry Regiment was rapidly achieved, with a call going out for those of Scottish ancestry to join their ranks.
‘…THE SCOTTISH CONTINGENT. Applications are invited, personally or in writing, from officer and men of Scottish descent now serving and others who have previously been trained as soldiers to form the proposed Scottish contingent. Men under 19 yours of age are not eligible. Scotsmen throughout the State are urged to respond to this call to serve the Empire. The following particulars must be supplied:- Surname, Christian Name, Age, Particulars of Service, Married or Single, Address. Application must be sent at once to the Adjutant, 52nd Infantry, Drill Hall, Sturt-street, South Melbourne…’

The 46th and 49th were combined with the 51st and 52nd Infantry Regiments to form the newly raised 5th Infantry Battalion. Members of the Scottish Regiment Association, who decided to offer their services as a whole, were part of the new unit. They were placed under the command of highly-regarded Ballarat officer, Lieutenant-Colonel David Sydney Wanliss.
Wallace Ross was one of the earliest to volunteer. He applied for a commission on 14 August 1914 and was immediately assigned as a lieutenant to the 5th Battalion, and placed second in command of B Company.

Of course, he first had to pass the high standards required to be accepted into the Australian Imperial Force. Wallace’s general physicality easily fell inside the exacting parameters of the medical examination – he was 5-feet 9½-inches tall, weighed 11-stone 3-pounds and had a chest measurement of 35½-inches. His eyesight was good, and both his educational and military qualifications were more than acceptable.
By the end of August, Wallace was in camp at Broadmeadows – it was to prove good training for the harsh environments ahead of them. Conditions in the camp were very rough, with many sleeping on the bare ground with just a waterproof sheet and blanket for comfort. But it is amazing how adrenalin will comfort an otherwise harsh situation.

On 21 October, Wallace embarked from Port Melbourne onboard HMAT Orvieto; by 1 November 38 Australian troopships and 10 from New Zealand had anchored off Albany in Western Australia. News had been received by this time that Turkey had entered the war on the side of the Central Powers and the contingent was now sailing for Egypt.

The sensational sea battle between HMAS Sydney and the German cruiser Emden on 9 November, had a direct effect on the men travelling onboard the Orvieto. After the sinking of the Emden, 53 German seamen were placed onboard the Orvieto and kept under close confinement as prisoners of war.

Travelling via Colombo and Aden, the Orvieto arrived at Port Said on 1 December. Wallace continued on to Alexandria with the majority of the 5th Battalion (A Company had disembarked at Port Said and entrained for Cairo from there). They disembarked at Alexandria on 3 December and were sent to Cairo by train.
The first three months of 1915 were spent training in the desert around Mena Camp outside Cairo.

In preparation for joining the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, the 5th Battalion left Mena on 4 April bound for Alexandria. Excitement was high as the men boarded the transport Novian ready to embark the following day.

Wallace reached the beach at ANZAC Cove around 4:45am as part of the second wave of the landing. Only Wallace can describe what happened next…
‘…As you already know, the currents carried us on further than was intended, and although we understand we escaped a lot, we doubt if the enemy would have served it up to us any hotter than they did, no matter at what point we might have reached terra firma.

Immediately we left the boats they made us aware of the warmth of their reception. Bullets and shrapnel splashed the water all around us. Many a good brave fellow did not have the satisfaction of securing a shot at the enemy, but our boat load was more fortunate, and after a charmed collective life we reached land and settled down to the solid business that confronted us. There was not a falterer. The men were all out to do. Grim determination was guised in good-hearted banter, and no officer could have failed under the circumstances to feel a throb of pride at being in charge of such men. Their eagerness knew no limitations. The intensity of the danger made them only the more determined. They seemed to vie with each other in their energy and desire to get to business, and the responsibility of leading them was thus lightened.

The order for complete silence had been given, and they observed it wonderfully well considering the country we had to negotiate. You know the rest. In we dashed. Obstacles were not recognised as such. The goal was ahead, and it was reached. The cost!! Let us pass on. The spectacle of your men and fellow-officers falling all around you need not be revived. No one knew who would be the next. But no one gave it a thought. There was only room and time for one thing, and that was action.

My turn came all too soon. While rushing forward I felt a sharp, stinging sensation in the left thigh. For a moment a peculiar feeling came over me, and l hardly realised what had occurred; but a bullet had entered the flesh, and, escaping the bone, had gone clean through, perhaps to find a lodging-place in a luckless comrade.

The wound did not seriously incommode me at the time. Perhaps the excitement and a concentrated mind had something to do with that. At any rate, I went forward, and had things balanced by receiving a bullet in the other leg.

I struggled on until a veritable curtain of lead compelled us to lie prone upon the ground. The bullets were coming our way as thick as hail. We were not idle either, and no doubt our bullets fulfilled their deadly mission.

No sooner had we thrown ourselves down than a bullet passed through my cheek.

It seemed a wonder that anyone escaped to tell the tale. The whole area was being swept by the machine-guns, while shrapnel was bursting all around. Any man who lifted his head was gone. The Turks evidently did not exactly gauge our position, and much of the shooting was a trifle high. For a moment I saw stars when the bullet entered the side of my face and tore open the flesh of my chin. The loss of blood from my two previous wounds, combined with the latest one on the face, was beginning to weaken me; but I held on determined to hang out as long as possible.

It was not long before I got my fourth trophy. The bullet this time had ricocheted, and it struck me high up on the right side of the chest, coming out near the waist-line. I then thought I was settled. All power left me, and I simply lay there thinking lots of things that need not be enumerated.

I was still lying face downwards when my men bounded forward another stage. It was awful to be compelled to remain behind with no company better than a whistle of bullets and the explosion of shrapnel. My cup of bitterness was not full. Still another bullet found me. It struck me midway down my back, and gliding along my spine, finally cut its way in as if to give me the finishing touch. It seemed to disorganise everything.

I remembered no more for two days…’
On 3 May, a cablegram arrived at the Ross home in Mill Street, Ballarat, informing Wallace’s parents that he had been wounded in action. Despatched from the Heliopolis Palace Hospital in Cairo, it carried no detailed information as to the severity of his wounds, but it was believed to have been sent by Wallace himself.

Nevertheless, worry began to set in as nothing further was heard.

Determined to get news of his son, John Ross sent a cablegram to Egypt. The reply, when it came, was reassuring, ‘…Five flesh wounds, none serious; healing splendidly." This is very satisfactory, and Lieut. Ross's many friends will be glad to hear it…’

When a follow-up progress report came through on 14 May, saying that Wallace was dangerously ill, his father was unable to get any news from the Defence Department about his condition. Once again, he bypassed official channels and sent a prepaid wire to Matron Rosa Quarterman, who had been matron at the Ballarat Hospital and who was with the Australian Army Nursing Service in Cairo, asking for her to make a special enquiry. Her reply eased the suspense for the entire Ross family. “Recovery slow but sure.”

Much later, Wallace was able to give a detailed account of what happened after he lost consciousness on 25 April.
‘…After two days' exposure I was carried to the boat in company with hundreds more, and it was not until then we received even first-aid. It was impossible for there were comparatively few doctors and nurses to attend to us all properly; but they did everything possible to temporarily relieve us.

We suffered a good deal on the voyage to Egypt, but once we reached the Heliopolis Hospital we received the most skilful surgical treatment and careful nursing. Captain [John] Northcott, of Ballarat, was with me. A bullet penetrated his chest and badly tore one of his lungs about, but the surgeons patched him up alright, and although his recovery will be slow, there is no doubt it will be sure. When I left, he was still very weak, but wonderfully improved. Before Captain Northcott received the wound that stopped his career his cap was riddled, and how his head escaped being burrowed out by the bullets I cannot say. It was nothing short of Providential.

Eventually I was transferred to a London hospital, of which I cannot speak too highly. The very best surgeons and physicians showered their attentions up on us. Many of them had gained the recognition of knighthood for their achievements, and no trouble was too great for them in the hope of alleviating our distress and making us whole again. While there we were treated handsomely by Londoners. For those who were able to participate in them motor excursions were provided, and all kinds of luxuries were brought them.

In the hospital were several Australian doctors and nurses, who were extremely popular and unremitting in their attention. When I was first placed on the table for examination the doctor marvelled that I was alive at all, and they wondered when they were going to cease finding wounds on me, because each of the five bullets I got made at least two wounds in addition to shrapnel effects…’

Wallace had been transferred from the No1 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, on 9 June. Although it probably did not have a deal of impact at that stage, he had been promoted to the rank of captain on 28 April.

0n 11 June, Wallace had a cable sent to his father alerting him that he had been moved to England. Just two weeks later he was able to write a letter to his parents. The message was brief, because he was able to remain in a position to write for only a few minutes at a time. He made light of four of his wounds, but the bullet that had entered his chest had deflected to his stomach and passed through his lower intestine. The damage meant his ‘progress was necessarily slow.’
‘…It was not until I was well on the mend, they informed me of the gravity of my case in the earlier stages. One of the leading surgeons told me it was evident I had been a teetotaller, and had it not been for the perfectly healthy condition of my blood he assured me I could not have survived. The presence of alcohol in the smallest quantity in my blood, he said, would have settled my prospects of recovery.

On 9th July the surgical board declared I would not be fit for further re-examination for at least four months, but I was free to go where I liked in England. That was not much consolation to me so I applied for permission to spend my respite in Australia. They withheld the sanction except on condition I paid my own passage, and that is to I got back to renew former associations. Within the next couple of months I will be obliged to submit to the board for further examinations as to my fitness to return to the fighting line.

Naturally I am anxious to rejoin my comrades who are keeping the Colours flying…’

Wallace was given leave until 6 November, and finally received permission from the War Office to return to Australia at his own expense. He secured a passage on the ocean liner Arabia and sailed home. He arrived in Adelaide towards the end of August and caught the overland express to Ballarat.

A journalist from the Ballarat Courier called at the Ross household on 1 September, the day after Wallace arrived home.

‘…Looking well, but with nerves shattered by suffering, Lt Wallace Ross, son of Constable Ross, of Wendouree, yesterday morning returned to Ballarat…..Few men have been spared under similar circumstances to narrate their experiences, and fewer still are possessed of the necessary vitality to enable them to pull through practically from death's door.
Lt Ross' wounds were more serious than he allowed his parents and relatives to learn; and now their extent is known it is little wonder his case was classified amongst the "dangerously wounded." He received five distinct bullet wounds from the rifle, besides splashes from shrapnel, and when a "Courier" representative called upon him yesterday at his parents' residence, he happened to be undergoing the process of having the two worst of them redressed. It was obvious the young officer had had an awful experience, and it will be some time before he will restored to perfect health.

Like most of the returned soldiers who have been through the crucible of Gallipoli he was diffident about referring to what he described as a veritable inferno. "We prefer to look forward to the prospective successes of the future," he said. "rather than to turn our minds back to an experience that nothing will ever erase from the memories of those who took part in it. Yet there is not one of us who would not willingly go through it again. Do not ask me anything more about it. You have had many accounts of our introduction to the Turks at Gallipoli. Some of them, which I have read, are accurate; some purely imaginative; but, it is beyond the possibilities of word-picturing to adequately convey more than a remote and imperfectly incomplete picture of the vividness and reality of war as presented to us in our baptism after we had landed."…’

The trip home via Suez had apparently had an adverse effect on Wallace’s unhealed wounds, but towards the latter portion of the voyage he ‘regained his lost ground’ and told the reporter that he now felt very well. The wound in the back was still open, and had to be kept that way for continued drainage. Another wound to his chest (in the shoulder region) had left a deep indentation, which was gradually disappearing. By that time the wounds to his face and legs had completely healed, but it was noted ‘he will for the rest of his life carry an honourable scar on the left cheek and on the chin.’

Wallace spoke highly of his experience of Turks as ‘fair fighters.’ He also took the opportunity to make a plea for more volunteers.

‘…It was numbers, he declared, that would count against the innumerable forces of Germans, Austrians, and Turks, and every fit man owed a moral obligation to the Empire. The strain of the work was tremendous, and it was only by giving the men reasonable rest that they could be kept fit for the heavy undertaking. No one can realise the hardships they are called upon to endure, and in common fairness all who possibly can should go to their assistance. That was the speediest, and in fact the only way to end the awful struggle for national existence in favor of Great Britain and her Allies…’

Showing that he had a capacity to express his opinions – something he would become well known for – Wallace also spoke to the reporter about the standards of training.

‘…Not sufficient attention was paid to rifle shooting practice. At present there was no doubt a lot ammunition was wasted. Would it not be better, he asked, to allow more liberal supplies of ammunition for practice? Less would then be required in war and the wastage would be reduced to a minimum.
That was particularly evident with the Turks also. Tons of lead were hurled at the Australians in the shape of bullets, and happily only a very small percentage of them found their billets.

The training received in Egypt was of incalculable value. Officers and men could not get too much exercise in actual war conditions and their inseparable hardships, and that was what was standing to the men now. "You cannot make officers and men in a couple of months." Lt Ross declared, and from his experience six or eight months' training in war conditions with plenty of rifle practice was essential to efficiency and a capacity for the hardships that must be met. For the present Lt Ross is obliged to go very quietly and to avoid excitement or exertion…’

Seemingly ignoring the advice of the doctors to ‘avoid excitement and exertion’, Wallace chose to only wait two weeks before he married his sweetheart, Edith Marjorie Walker. Having come so very close to dying, it seems it was time to start living again. The young couple had known one another since childhood, and Marjorie, who was studying art at the Ballarat Art School, had now grown into a delicately pretty girl. The wedding took place on 16 September 1915 at Scots Presbyterian Church in Lydiard Street, Ballarat.

As Wallace continued to recover from his multiple bullet wounds, the newlyweds made their home with Marjorie’s parents at “Teepookana” in Trench Street, central Ballarat. Initially the Defence Department granted them both a pension as Wallace was unfit to work. (This was cancelled in December 1917, when Wallace’s claim was rejected as he wasn’t ‘incapacitated’ by his war service).

A breakdown in communication between government departments meant it wasn’t long before the Defence Department was asking questions as to how Wallace Ross returned to Australia and the reason for his return. A Minute Paper, dated 17 November 1915, indicated that they wanted him brought before a Medical Board ‘with as little delay as possible.’

The fiasco continued into December, with Wallace being required to detail his case: he had been given leave to the 6 November, with permission by the War Office to proceed to Australia at own expense. He was told to apply for a refund of passage money on his arrival here, which had since been refused. After he arrived in Victoria by the Arabia on 1 September, he reported to a Lieutenant Hutchin, at Victoria Barracks. He also reported by letter ten days prior to his leave expiring, which had been in accordance with instructions from the War Office.

Seemingly satisfied with his response, but still refusing to reimburse his travel costs, the Defence Department terminated Wallace’s appointment in the AIF on 31 December 1915.

Wallace then became a Justice of the Peace. He also enjoyed public speaking – in a presentation at the Australian Natives Association, he received applause when he said ‘the biggest enemy soldiers had was drink.’

His position as a returned officer who had been wounded at Gallipoli enabled Wallace to speak on behalf of men at the front. One of the most important aspects of a soldier’s life was the connections to home – especially through letters.

‘…According to Lt Wallace Ross the delivery of letters newspapers, packages addressed to soldiers at the front is extremely unsatisfactory. Since his return he has ascertained that large number of messages and parcels had been forwarded to him at regular intervals, but very few of them reached him, notwithstanding the fact that many of them had been registered.

Even while in the London hospital letters forwarded to that address failed to reach him. There is a certain amount of excuse for the congestion of postal matter and confused postal arrangements at the front, but it is difficult to understand how missives addressed plainly to his location in London could possibly go astray.

This is a matter that in fairness to the men who are giving their services, and in some case their lives, to the Empire, might receive the attention of the Commonwealth Defence and Postal Departments…’
After making a full recovery, Wallace continued to serve on the home front with a number of prominent postings – he assisted in class work at the Ballarat Camp before he was appointed adjutant of the Ascot Vale Depot, and then commanding officer of the depot camp at Bendigo. On 17 February 1917, the 17th Infantry Brigade held a successful sports meeting at the Broadmeadows Camp; Captain J. Wallace Ross was by then Brigade-Major. Track and field events, and sports games were held, and the day was concluded with boxing matches, with gold medals donated by Wallace Ross.

Wallace also suffered personal sadness when his close friend, Captain F. Leslie Moore, was killed in action on 20 September 1917, whilst serving with the 5th Battalion. He would continue to grieve quite openly for the loss of this promising young soldier.

As the war entered its final year, Wallace and Marjorie moved to a new home in Gardenia Road, Gardenvale. They named their home “Sans Regrets”. It was there that the first of their three daughters, Marjorie Wallace, was born on 8 January 1918.

By November 1918, Wallace was second-in-command of the Citizen Military Force camp at Epsom with some 3000 men under canvas.

With the end of the war, Wallace returned to his pre-war occupation as a bookkeeper. In 1919 he was working as the accounts officer for the Repatriation Department. He and Marjorie had moved to 29 Kinane Street in Brighton – again naming their home “Sans Regrets.” Their second daughter, Jean Wallace, was born there on 30 January 1922. Their third daughter, Una Wallace, was also born in Kinane Street, arriving on 30 Sep 1930. Wallace and Marjorie would live in Kinane Street for thirty years.

Branching out as a private accountant, Wallace quickly earned an impressive reputation for honesty and thoroughness. He was elected as an officer to the Commonwealth Accountants’ Students’ Society in July 1923.
In June 1925, Wallace was appointed auditor of the accounts of the State Savings Bank. By this time, he was a partner in the firm of Wilson, Ross and Company in Queen Street, Melbourne.

Early in 1926, Wallace was engaged by the Premier’s Office to make inquiries into any ‘waste, extravagance, overlapping or over-staffing in the State Public Service.’ He soon realised the job was ‘a bigger one than he had anticipated.’

In gaining this appointment, much was made of Wallace’s experience in working with a number of Government departments – and his war service. His qualifications were also solid: he was an associate of the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants, an associate of the Australasian Institute of Secretaries and Government and was still the auditor of the State Savings Bank. He was responsible for reporting directly to the Premier, Mr John Allan, who stated that ‘…Mr Ross's fee had not been decided definitely. It would, however, "not be a very small one."…’
The pressing need for economy during this period meant there was great interest attached to Wallace Ross’ report, which was handed to the then State Treasurer, Sir Alexander Peacock, in time for his Budget speech of 1926. It was declared that Wallace’s findings into the organisation and methods in the State Public Service ‘…would be amusing if it were not for the fact that the joke is at the taxpayers’ expense…’

It became clear that Wallace’s findings also required major changes.
‘…Sweeping Reforms Urged Sweeping reforms in the State Public Service are recommended by Mr J. Wallace Ross, City Public Accountant, who was appointed a Board to inquire whether or not there was waste, extravagance, overlapping or overstating.
The main recommendations are: — Abolition of Closer Settlement and Soldiers' Settlement Boards and the Public Health Commission. Abolition of Public Works Department or distribution of its functions among other departments, suggested as subject for inquiry by Public Service Commission Early and thorough reorganisation of the Lands Department. Definite training in administration for higher positions. Appointment of an efficiency expert to assist the Public Service Commissioner in the introduction of better methods. Delegation of promotions to permanent heads, subject to certain safe-guards. No promotions to he made to chief positions after a fixed age limit. Grade tests for promotion from class to class.

Monetary rewards for valuable suggestions. Introduction of dictating machine visible card indices, and time clocks. Automatic telephone system in public offices. Classification on relative values of work. The Commissioner Mr Ross, who is a member of the firm of Wilson, Ross and Co., Public Accountants, Queen street, was appointed by the Government a Board seven months ago and his report was presented to the Premier (Mr Allan) a few days before the close of the Parliamentary session. It was ordered to he printed and has just been made available. Mr Ross was formerly an officer of the Railway Department. He served with the A.I.F. in the war. On his return to the State he was, for a while, connected with the technical education branch of the Education Department, particularly in relation to Repatriation work. Then he entered into private practice as a public accountant. Importance is attached to his report because his selection by the Government as an Inquiry Board was made with the concurrence of the Public Service Commissioner (Mr C. S. McPherson). Before the appointment of Mr Ross a sub-committee of the Cabinet inquired into the question of economy in the administration of departments and presented a report. Both inside and outside Parliament there was unfavorable criticism of this report. Some commentators said that the Government could hardly be expected to report unfavorably on its own administration and find a verdict against itself. In consequence of this criticism, the Government selected Mr Ross to conduct an inquiry into the organisation and methods in the central administration of the departments operating under the Public Service Acts of Victoria and to report whether or not there is (a) waste, (b) extravagance, (c) overlapping, or (d) over-staffing, and also into any further question which may be referred by the Public Service Commissioner…’

The report was then referred to a sub-committee…
Interestingly, one of his findings was the in some cases, women did their jobs more efficiently than men and predicted that ‘…in the near future they will “take a more important part in the development of the public service.”’

Wallace also became a voracious writer of letters to the editors of various Melbourne newspapers – often stirring the pot and ruffling feathers.
‘…Sir, — The Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia is making a drive to obtain increased membership, and is specially appealing to ex-officers of the AIF to take the lead, and set the example to all ex-service men to join up. There can be no doubt about the desirability of ex-service men being banded together in one organisation, but unless the executive, which is appealing for those who led in war to lead now in peace, really understands the importance of leadership, there can be little hope of the "membership drive" having any permanent effect. It is only because the League has among its leaders a strong sprinkling of men eminent in professional, business and education circles, that it can hope to influence and retain an increased membership from among the most desirable of the many thousands of ex-service, men at present outside the organisation.
If it is the unanimous wish of the League that Sir John Monash, whose brilliant and highly laudable services in the Great World War earned the eternal gratitude of every true Australian, should accept the post of federal president, when that office next becomes vacant, I feel confident that he would accede to the request, and that his accession to office would be followed by a large increase in membership.
Similarly, if the Victorian branch could obtain the services of the present Lord Mayor of Melbourne, as the holder of its highest office, his prestige and influence would be all for the good of the League. In offering the foregoing suggestion, I believe I am echoing the thoughts of many ex-service men, both in and out of the League, and trust that both the Federal and State executives will see fit to give the matter their earnest consideration.—
Yours, etc., J. WALLACE ROSS. Melbourne, April 18 [1929].

When this letter caused upset with the RSL, Wallace quickly responded,
‘…TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
Sir, - When expressing the views set out in my recent letter regarding the leadership of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League it was not my intention to enter into any controversy regarding the matter. The league's reply, however, plainly indicates that while it professes to welcome constructive suggestions any ideas contrary to the view of the present controllers are really antipathetic. That there are more ex-service men out of than in the league, and that the league membership is falling so rapidly as to necessitate a "drive" to obtain increased members, is the strongest evidence that there is urgent need for leadership which will rectify this position. It is only by having as leaders the most eminent and influential ex-service men available that this can be accomplished, and if their qualities of leadership are not available the blame is upon the league executives.

While the league without doubt receives "a measure of helpful advice and assistance" from influential ex-service citizens in their official and private capacities, can it be said that a sufficient number of them have received unanimous requests to accept positions in the league which would enable them to exercise their talents of leadership for the community in general and for ex-service men and women in particular? To achieve this result the executives should take steps to assure "distinguished and universally admired" leaders that their services were urgently required and unanimously desired, and that every effort would be made solidly to support their efforts for the good of the league. It is conceivable that ex-service men of conspicuous qualities will decline nomination in the absence of such assurance. Moreover, such men would naturally be averse from laying themselves open to a charge of interloping.

It is beside the point to refer to the essentially democratic constitution" of the league, under which it is possible for a president to be elected against the wishes of the majority of members as a whole. It is also an indication of the urgent need for better leadership that the duties of the honorary post of State president necessitate giving "three to four hours attention to league affairs daily," and that instead of endeavouring to find ways and means of procuring the services of eminent leaders the league can do no better than offer specious explanations. Surely this attitude is inconsistent in a body which prides itself on a number of "outstanding achievements."

It is no reflection on any officer-bearer, past or present, to suggest that every effort should be made to induce the most capable ex-service men to undertake league leadership. If this could be accomplished it would rank very highly among the league's achievements. Is the league capable of doing this? - Yours, &c. J. WALLACE ROSS, 34 Queen street. April 24…’
Wallace was never happy unless he was busy – in 1929 he became the examiner in bookkeeping for the Technical Schools’ Association of Victoria; he was also president of Brighton Technical School council. At the school break-up in December, he criticised the Minister for Education for not supporting the school’s need for new buildings for the growing studentship.

Wallace continued to report on the ongoing investigation into the Victorian Public Service. In August 1930 he was quoted as saying,
‘…The only way to affect economies in the Victorian Public service is to make someone responsible for the economies. This has not yet been done. Until someone is given the responsibility for the general efficiency of the public service the present waste, due to inefficiency and duplication, will continue…’

The military was never far from Wallace’s field of activity and he continued his association with the 5th Battalion. On 27 June 1931, he presented a cup to the most efficient company of the 5th Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment) during a dance held at the Drill Hall in Sturt Street. This continued for a number of years and was known, appropriately, as the Wallace Ross Cup.

As a senior officer with battlefield experience, Wallace’s views were often sought after – especially in regards to civilian militia. The following article was printed in the Melbourne Argus on 31 January 1933.

‘…THE MILITIA.
WHY STRENGTHS ARE LOW.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
By J. WALLACE ROSS.
The announcement that the decrease in the strength of militia units is causing anxiety in defence circles presents a suitable opportunity to direct attention to phases of this problem which are gradually becoming plainer to an increasing section of the community.
No Government which has so little regard either for the decrees of Parliament or for the need for defence that by administrative get it disregards the law respecting moans of recruitment of defence personnel can expect its bad example to engender that enthusiasm for public service which is essential to the success of a system of volunteer defence. Before any voluntary system of defence can have a reasonable hope of success the Commonwealth and the State Governments must display enthusiasm for such means of defence. To remove itself from the stigma that it is a law breaker not seriously interested in defence matters the first logical action for the Commonwealth Government to take if it does not propose to proceed with compulsory training would be to have the law amended.

The citizen soldier and sailor whose training before the war made possible the despatch of the Australian Expeditionary force with such promptitude upon the outbreak of war in 1914, received no more recognition of his services than the men who placed their services at the disposal of then country after the outbreak of war. In Great Britain the value to the country of the citizen soldier was recogised by the issue to members of the Territorial Forces who saw service overseas of a special medal in addition to the general issue of war medals. How proudly is that distinction cherished. On occasions when medals or ribbons are worn it signifies that the wearer was a serving citizen soldier who took a place in the defence of his country when the war broke out. Had a similar course been followed in Australia it would have had a favourable influence upon the recruitment of the present militia Perhaps it is not too late even now to derive some benefit from such a form of recognition of citizen service.

Preference for Militia-men
The citizen sailor soldier and airman should be made to feel in other ways that service in the militia forces is appreciated by the Commonwealth and State Governments. One of the most practical wavs in which this might he demonstrated is by establishing a measure of preference in appointments to the civil services to those with some specified length of service and degree of efficiency in the volunteer forces. This might be difficult to provide but the difficulties are not insuperable. Once such a scheme was in operation in Government services it would not be difficult to persuade semi-public authorities to adopt a similar policy and so the recognition of the service of the defence volunteer would increase.

The training of men approaching 40 years of age und upward is generally regarded by naval, military and Air Force officers as wasted energy owing to the comparatively short period of useful service such men are likely to be able to render, and the tendency to service of other than young men is discouraged. But in forces very much under strength it would appear to be a mistake to discourage the services of such men. Their worth lies not so much m then individual abilities as sailors soldiers or aircrafts men as in the example the service of men of mature age sets to younger men.

When men are induced to enlist the best method of holding them is to make then service as attractive as possible. Without doubt the reversion to coloured uniform has helped. The delay in equipping the infantry with something better than the old AIF pattern uniform, which, as one brigadier once said, "Was neither a uniform nor a suit of civies and the lack of an attractive design where new uniform has been provided for infantry units is no doubt partly responsible for the falling off of interest in this arm. The mistake has been made of first fitting out the more attractive technical units and providing them with more pleasing designs than those for units more difficult to fill. It also appears that the result of the narrow view which prevents units even at their own expense from equipping themselves with uniforms of special design such as the Victorian Scottish Regiment with kilts, is to put a damper on enthusiasm, which were it allowed proper expression, might have beneficial results far outside the ranks of the unit.

New enthusiasm for service in infantry units might be awakened by the formation of several units of marine light infantry. At present we have no marines in the Australian forces. Such a unit would be novel and it would probably prove irresistible to many young men not now in any other unit. There is something attractive about the name "marine." That this is no idle belief is shown by the large proportion of the militia forces in the United States enlisted as "marines."
Some Questions of Pay
One might go on for a long time, making suggestions for the betterment of the defence forces including a higher rate of pay for the private soldier though this, of course, must depend on funds available. Owing to unemployment the need for payment of their own fares to attend voluntary drills by militia men out of work or only obtaining partial employment has an adverse effect on militia efficiency, and urgently requires revision, especially when it is carried to the farcical length of a recent case. Being out of employment and desirous of improving, his knowledge of co-operation with artillery, a young infantry officer applied for permission to attend the camp of artillery unit without pay, in addition to going into camp later with his own unit. After some delay permission was granted him to attend the artillery camp without pay, provided that he paid his own rail fare to and from Seymour - he was to travel on the same train as the artillery unit - and the cost of his food while in the artillery camp. Naturally he did not go. Not only has his enthusiasm been damped but also that of all who have knowledge of the incident.

A professional man of service age and war experience as a combatant offered to make his services available to one of the citizen defence units without any expenses for drill pay usually allowed to militia officers and men, uniform, fares, or even food when called up for training duty. The offer to serve in a department in which his professional qualifications might be of advantage was made with the twofold object of rendering such assistance in defence as he was best able to give, and, as he hoped, setting an example to others. After delay that almost caused him to forget his proposal, he was informed that if he wished he would be appointed to an indicated position in a unit other than the one for which he had submitted his services. In this position he would be required to give no service except in the event of mobilisation, and the duties in that event would probably be of a character for which he had no training. Is it any wonder that this man was so disgusted as to regret that he had even bothered to offer his services? Surely it is important that, if the best use is to be made of the material offering, the Defence administration should handle it more intelligently.

As ANZAC Day 1933 approached, an article concerning the ‘first ANZAC to die in England,’ that appeared in many local newspapers appears to have opened old wounds for Wallace Ross.

‘…The writer of the article " A Lonely Anzac," which was reprinted in the Camera Supplement of April 22, has been misinformed of the date of the death and the name of the "first Anzac to die on English soil." More than a year before the death of the sergeant referred to in the article, I was a patient in Wandsworth Hospital when a fellow officer of my own unit (5th Battalion AIF), Captain W. D. Manger, died on the evening of Wednesday, July 21, 1915, in particularly tragic circumstances. It is, however, not unlikely that there were deaths in England of members of the AIF before that date…’

On 6 September 1934, Wallace was appointed by the Attorney-General and Chief Secretary, Mr Macfarlane, as an inspector under the Companies Act to inspect the affairs of three companies in regards to share-hawking. In the meantime, he continued his long association with the Brighton Technical School. By December 1938, he had been instrumental in re-establishing a Cadet Corps at the school.

Family matters were also an important part of Wallace’s life. On 7 January 1939, he and Marjorie gave a dance at Church Street, Brighton, to celebrate the “coming-of-age” of their eldest daughter. It was to be a dual celebration – not only was Marjorie turning 21, her engagement to Lindsay Jervis Quilliam was also to be announced. At a time when events such as these were of great social importance, a full description of Marjorie’s dress was given in the newspaper. She had ‘…chosen an Old World gown of white moire taffeta, which has a panel down the front adorned with tiny bows of the material…’ and she carried an ‘1830 posy.’ Her teenage sister, Jean, assisted their parents in looking after the guests.
World events had a decided impact on Marjorie’s wedding when it was held at the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel at Scotch College on 16 September 1939. She carried a spray of azaleas and lily of the valley tied with Ross tartan ribbon. Her husband was to serve as a major with the 2/9th Australian Armoured Regiment.

At the forefront of Wallace’s mind was the pressing need to serve his country once again. He enlisted in Melbourne on 12 October 1939. At nearly 48-years-of-age, Wallace was not considered for active duty. Instead, he was attached formally to his unit of the Commonwealth Military Forces, the 5th Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment). He was then seconded for staff duties.

His younger brother, Norman, lowered his age by five years to enlist on 20 October 1939. He had already experienced an adventurous life as an officer on inter-State passenger liners having been shipwrecked on several occasions. When he was reported missing in action on 13 April 1941, his family probably assumed – or hoped – he’d turn up safe and well once again. However, it was not to be. He’d been serving as a corporal with the 2/8th Infantry Battalion when he was killed in action in the course of the withdrawal during the Battle of Greece.

Wallace had to deal with the loss of his brother whilst continuing to manage his various appointments. On 6 October 1941, he was detached for duty with the Southern Command Training School at Wooloomanata, a sheep station outside the town of Lara.

After relinquishing an appointment as Quartermaster-General to the 4th Division on 6 April 1942, According to Wallace, a new Divisional Commander believed he was ‘too old to continue to occupy the appointment of AA & QMG, and had another officer appointed, but left me the responsibility of controlling the arrangements for the movement across the continent…’ Wallace was transferred to General Headquarters, where he was appointed as Inspector of Personnel Maintenance.
During July 1942 he saw duty at Bonegilla, Wangaratta and Puckapunyal. He was then promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on 1 September.

On 22 September 1942, Wallace volunteered for service in the 2nd AIF. He was accepted and allotted the regimental number VX104360. By this time he was 50-years-old. The medical officer who conducted his physical examination noted the scar on Wallace’s chin, a souvenir courtesy of a Turkish bullet.

He was appointed Deputy Director of Personnel Maintenance on 10 February 1943, and just over a month later he was appointed Officer in Command of Land Headquarters, 2nd Echelon (Australian Military Forces Records) at Prahran. Wallace offered some insight into this period of his service.

‘…While at LHQ, I was, at first, engaged as something in the nature of an Administrative Inspector, and visited camps in the lower portion of NT [Northern Territory] and Units and HQ’s in the area then commanded by the late Lt General H. G. Bennett. After that I was sent to Adv. LHQ for a period to relieve the officer holding the appointment of “Colonel A”, as he was off duty ill. On returning to LHQ, I was appointed Deputy Director of Personnel Maintenance, and when the then Officer in Charge of 2nd Echelon LHQ died, I took over his appointment, absorbing the functions of the Directorate of Personnel Maintenance, which was then abolished…’

Wallace’s only venture into a combat zone came during November 1943, when he was detached to NQ Force at Port Moresby (operational service) for special duty. The deployment was only for ten days before he returned to Australia.

When Japan formally surrendered on 2 September 1945, the Second World War came to an end. Wallace’s staff were then tasked with sifting through records locating information on Prisoners of War – tracing the missing and the living.
‘…To trace the original owner of a watch; the Christian name initials of which differ from those of the subject soldier; to locate a prisoner of war who disappeared and changed his name. These are problems (and both were solved) which keep 2nd Echelon, L.H.Q. (Army Records) on its toes in long, exhausting tasks.

Releases of prisoners of war, first in Europe and more recently in the Pacific, have accentuated the work performed by trained army specialists under Lieut.-Colonel J. Wallace Ross, in Chapel-street, Prahran, Human errors which have always crept into the lexicographical rolls produce more serious consequences, since methods must needs become more intricate and exacting. But, despite this and the advantage of modern tabulating machines, evidence is sifted to produce some astounding conclusions.

Conjecture, known facts, the time factor and due regard for negative evidence over a period establish the fate of missing men, and confirm the living in painstaking investigation and deduction.

The interrogation of the 90 repatriated survivors from the Japanese transport Rakuyo Maru, which, was sunk between Luzon and Hong Kong on September 12, 1944, identified over 600 other Australians who were aboard the ship. The search ended with the identification of G. Smith (the name is fictitious). Smith was remembered as "Ginger" Smith by five of the survivors. Two said he came from Queensland three thought it was New South Wales. Descriptions of him varied widely. Did any remember his ever saying where he was born?

"Dubbo," was suggested. The upshot of the examinations was that "Ginger" Smith came from New South Wales, but enlisted in Queensland. One party on the ship when shesailed from Singapore was under an engineroom artificer, who was seen to right some boats which were picked up by the Japanese. But all the Japanese wireless told Records was that so many "British" were rescued. A typhoon which occurred in those waters at the time added difficulty to the solution. But all the evidence indicated the survival of this Australian party, and, happily, to-day they are now back in Australia.

A member of the Australian "Tulip" Force, which went to Burma early, was reported missing. Statutory declarations were made to the effect that he must have died from starvation and thirst. But Records did not accept his death, even after he had been missing for three years. When the British entered Rangoon the missing soldier was found with R.A.A.F. men in the notorious gaol. One of the five Australians who escaped from Borneo and carried on with the American hush-hush unit on Mindanao, Major Steel, brought back documents in which occurred reference to the disappearance from Changi camp of an Australian. He wore ribbons of the First World War, but his name had slightly different spellings. One day a civilian and a major called at 2nd Echelon, with a card sent from Japan. The civilian declared that the card was written by his brother, the man who disappeared from Changi, but the name was different— a corruption of his real name. "I'm certain it is from my brother," declared the inquirer. The card had been delivered to a friend's address, and stressed in its message the word "civilians." Records' legal officer investigated the matter, and the conclusion was reached that the missing man was in a civil internment camp. After V-P day the recovery unit liberated the man from Sime Road camp, where he had assumed the name which appeared on the Japanese card.

The Laha massacre at Amboina and the tracing of only six of 1500 men who were at Sandakhan, Borneo, are matters which have been occupying 2nd Echelon intensively. Of the Borneo men only 20 remain about whom Records has, not some information. The Ambon disaster will shortly be given a clearer outline. A Union Jack, bearing indecipherable names of men who had died in Borneo, was brought to Australia. The Victorian Police department assisted in deciphering the names, all of which proved to be members of British regiments. From a mass grave at Laha were taken watches, wallets, a knife, a cigarette ease and a wrist band. But identification from these articles was frequently difficult. The initials on a watch, for example, proved only a guide to the surname of the deceased soldier. Men from Laha have been recovered at Tantooee and Hainan, in the Amboina area, but details of the massacre at Laha have yet to be revealed. Two victims of an air crash in Queensland were believed, from recovered evidence, to bear the prefix "Mac" to the same surname. Both were reported killed by the Americans, whose transport had crashed with them. But the second "Mac, whose death was presumed, proved, after investigation, to be still on service in New Guinea. A haversack, with his name on It. had been found among the wreckage…’

Wallace remained at the 2nd Echelon until he was demoblised on 18 March 1946, ‘…although the then Adjutant General wished me to remain in the Army…’
Obviously proud of her husband’s work, Marjorie took Wallace to the studio of noted portraitist, Aileen Dent. Her painting of Wallace was a finalist for the 1946 Archibald Prize.

Wallace returned once again to his pre-war accountancy business. In 1950, he was named the honorary treasurer of the Victorian division of the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants.

He continued his ardent writing of letters to the editors of Melbourne newspapers – he covered everything from ‘oppressive legislation and magistrates “rough justice” to wage and price increases. His letters displayed a high intellect and grasp of the intricacies of a variety of subjects, but they were always threaded through with a sound degree of common-sense. Although he did display a rather typical level of sexism. His sometimes provocative approach would not be out of place on modern social media.
‘…Feminine logic
It would not be difficult to guess why the president of the Housewives' Association had never met (Herald- 11/9) a man who disagreed with her opinion that a Ministry of Housekeeping was one of the greatest needs to combat inflation. Each male to whom she has advanced this view was probably too polite to tell her that her belief was reached emotionally instead or logically. What could a Ministry of Housekeeping do to combat inflation that could not be done by existing agencies of government?...’

However, sometimes there was a degree of whimsy that called fondly to his Scottish roots…
‘…Kilts und Kisses

The splendid article "Kilts come out of mothballs" prompts me to give the recorded facts about the raising of what later became the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders: —
In 1794 (not 1788, which was the date of raising of the Stirlingshire Regiment that was linked in 1881 with the Gordon Highlanders as its 1st Battalion) the Government accepted an offer made by the Marquis of Huntley to raise a Highland regiment on the estates of his father, the Duke of Gordon. A letter of service was granted to the Duke of Gordon to raise such a regiment to be commanded by the Marquis of Huntley. The Duke and Duchess and their son ail recruited for the regiment personally, and the irresistible arguments of the lovely Duchess — a guinea bounty accompanied by a kiss from her — proved so successful that the required numbers for her son's regiment were soon raised…’

His pragmatic views on ANZAC Day observance make for interesting reading,
‘…If any plebiscite be taken to decide the future form of Anzac Day observance in Victoria, it should be at a general parliamentary election among all people on the electoral rolls. It should include an opportunity to express support for a Sunday commemoration of war-time sacrifices and service. Ex-servicemen's organisations have no moral right to impose upon the community, of which they form part only, a dictum that the day should be observed as a week-day holiday, inflicting heavy costs on the community, and involving loss of needed production. If the anniversary is intended as a day of commemoration for those who made sacrifice of their lives or health on war service, the selection of a Sunday as a holy day would surely be more appropriate in a community which claims to be predominantly a Christian one…’

By August 1956, Wallace was approaching retirement age, but news that he had been appointed as a member of the Companies Auditors Board by the Governor in Council indicated he had no idea of slowing down.

He continued to work into the 1960’s - his accountancy firm by 1960 was Wallace Ross & Company, in Ajax House, at 105 Queen Street, Melbourne.

When he was communicating with the Secretary of Defence in 1966 regarding the ANZAC Commemorative that was to be struck, he referred to himself as ‘Late Captain 5th Bn 1st AIF. Late Colonel C in C Staff 2nd AIF; Now just a plain civilian…’

Nothing was ever ‘plain’ about Wallace Ross! By then, he and Marjorie had moved to a modern brick residence in Warleigh Grove, Brighton, and he maintained offices in Little Flinders Street.

J. Wallace Ross died at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital on 4 August 1968 – 53 well-lived years after a near death experience on the scrub-covered slopes of Gallipoli. He was cremated at the Springvale Cemetery on 7 August.

Read more...