Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ross and his twin sister, Valda were born on the 19th February 1914 to John and Mary Ellen Steele at Mount Gambier, an area known for its blue lake in the dormant volcano on the limestone coast. His siblings included four sisters Irene Elvie, Kathleen and Valda and brothers Malcolm, John and Alec.
John’s family had come to Australia from Scotland, taking up land near Port McDonnell Bay. As a young man, John had successfully leased land at Mount Graham Station before purchasing land at Hatherleigh, then moving to Mount Gambier as a dairy farmer on a property called ‘Pleasant Park’ Station. From there, John took up droving in the South-East, becoming known as a good horseman, capable stockman, and a first-class judge of livestock. With his Scottish heritage, he was also an enthusiastic participant of the Millicent Caledonian Society, particularly in national sports and pastimes at the annual Highland gatherings. Ross inherited these sporting skills.
Initially, Ross and his siblings attended Worrolong School where, in their early years, aged from seven year upward, Ross enjoyed the annual school’s picnic. These were held at a variety of different local farmers’ paddocks where races were run. Both Ross and Valda proved their skills, with each winning their year level races. By the time he was eleven Ross scooped the pool in the flat races, skipping, the three-legged race and jumping. At that picnic, each student received a cash prize, plus lollies, nuts and fruit. The students also provided amusement for watchers when they were blindfolded and sent towards a rope, from which various items were suspended, and held by two men above the ground. Hilarity was caused as the children made initial unsighted grabs until they successfully grasped one of the articles, which then became theirs. With the family moving to Murray Bridge, Ross attended the local high school where he excelled in swimming carnivals as well as sports in general. Valda continued her education at St Joseph’s Convent School at Murray Bridge where book keeping, shorthand and typewriting were her forte.
Post school Ross became a cheesemaker. He had just turned 16 when his father, John died at the Thyne Memorial Hospital from heart failure. Tributes to this highly respected man featured in all the main newspapers of the day. In a further tragedy that affected the whole family, Ross was 25 when his sporty, horse-loving older sister, Kathleen died in Calvary Hospital in November ‘39. She was just 32 years old.
With war looming, 26-year-old Ross enlisted on the 4th July 1940 to become SX7776. His brother-in-law, Tommy Brown enlisted with him as SX7750 and both were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Coincidentally, Noel Wall, a farmer from Kyancutta also enlisted on the same day, becoming SX7783 in the 2/48th, with this being the start of a friendship. Their lives were to become permanently linked in May ’42. The two did not depart together as both Ross and Tom spent some of their early days in the Kapara Convalescent Home at Glenelg then at his sister’s, Elvina Mrs. Arthur Brown with tinea foot trouble and pharyngitis. He was eventually able to enjoy pre-embarkation leave before heading overseas in February and arriving in the Middle East on the 23rd March ’41.
During those early days, the battalion settled into camps, but besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals and the constant demands of army life. The new soldiers were soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. Ross and Tom’s early days were spent with the Infantry Trig Battalion but later in the year he was treated for enteritis for a week before he was able to join his battalion in October ‘41. February the following year saw him contract scarlet fever and have quite a lengthy stint in a British based hospital.
Ross’ battalion was often on the move. By May ’42 they were in Tourbol, described in John Glenn’s book, Tobruk to Tarakan as ‘not the pleasantest place for a camp. It was treeless, and hot winds swept across the bare ground, but it wasn’t because of this that the men most remembered Tourbol. Here we had an unfortunate series of fatal accidents that robbed the battalion of some fine men who had given such sterling service through Tobruk.’ He continued ‘During exercises near the camp on 28th May one of the carriers hit a sharp dip so roughly that Corporal Noel Wall was killed, the driver being injured. The following day J.T. Farrell and R.M. Steele were killed and three others were wounded when two unit trucks collided. The members of the battalion killed in this series of accidents were buried with full military honours in the historic Victoria Memorial Cemetery at El Mina, where lie buried sailors of H.M.S. Victoria, who were drowned when their ship collided with H.M.S. Camperdown in 1895.’
In his recently published book, Derrick VC in His Own Words, Mark Johnston included Derrick’s diary entry for the 29th May 1942 (Friday) written in Tourbol, Lebanon. “Leaving the AOKs today after dinner, must have another swim before going. One of our trucks smashed up carrying Don Coy home, 2 killed and 7 injured. Tank battle still on in Libya.’ Johnston makes note of the entry that ‘this was the third fatal road accident in the battalion since 25th May. The two men killed on this day were SX11088, Pte Joseph Thomas Farrell and SX7776 Pte Ross Michael Steele.’
A subsequent court of inquiry was held at Tripoli over several days, finding that the soldiers were executing their duty when their injuries were sustained and importantly that ‘there was no contributory negligence or misconduct on the part’ of any of those involved.
Ross was 28 when he was killed. The Border Watch in June ‘42 shared the news that ‘Mrs. M. Steele, of Ellis Avenue, Morphettville, has been notified that her youngest son, Private Ross M. Steele, A.I.F. abroad, died from injuries on May 29. Pte. Steele was born at Mount Gambier 28 years ago, and enlisted from here in May, 1940. He left Australia in February 1941. Educated at Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge High School, he was a keen swimmer and won several trophies for this sport. He was one of the "Rats of Tobruk," and later saw service in Syria.’
In a further blow to the extended family, Tommy Brown who enlisted with Ross, was reported missing less than two months later. He had been taken prisoner of war.
Ross now rests in Plot 1 Row B Grave 9, alongside 37-year-old Noel Wall with whom he enlisted. Alongside are others from their 2/48th battalion, 36-year-old Private Thomas J. Skehill VX38662, 40 year old Private Joseph T. Farrell SX11088 and others from the 2/3rd, 2/12th 9th Australian Signals Division and Royal Engineers who were killed at a similar time. Ross’ family chose the inscription ‘In memory of Ross, Son of Mary and John Steele of Mt. Gambier, Sth Australia.’
With peace declared, the local community instigated a Glenburnie Memorial Fund in ‘46 with the aim of providing two Orthopaedic beds for the Mount Gambier Hospital as a memorial to the four Glenburnie boys who paid the supreme sacrifice. They were: Pte. William R. Bowd, 24 year old Pte. Ken Kilsby SX3783 of the 2/27th, 28 year old Pte. Ross Steele SX7776 in Rex’s 2/48th Battalion and 22 year old F/Sgt. Angus R. Telford.
Ross’s family continued to remember him in the ensuing years.
Southern Cross Friday 26 June 1942, STEELE.—On May 29, 1942, from injuries, Pte. Ross M., dearly beloved youngest son of Mrs. M. and the late Mr. John Steele, of Ellis Ave., Morphettville, and formerly of "Pleasant Park" Station, Mount Gambier. Aged 28 years. R.I.P. Advertiser STEELE. —On May 29, Ross M, dearly beloved youngest son of Mrs. M. and the late Mr. John Steele. No. 3 Ellis avenue, Morphettville, and formerly of Pleasant Park, Mount Gambier, aged 28 years. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.I.P. STEELE.—On May 29, from in-juries, Pte. Ross M., of 2/48th Battalion abroad, dearly beloved youngest son of Mrs. M. and the late Mr. John Steele, and loving brother of Irene, Elvie, Valda, Malcolm, John, and Aleck. Someday we'll understand. R.I.P. STEELE.—On May 29, abroad, result accident, Pte. Ross, 2/48th Battalion, darling twin brother of Valda. R.I.P. Border Watch STEELE.—On May 29, 1942, from injuries, Pte. Ross M., dearly beloved youngest son of Mrs. M. and the late Mr. John Steele, of No. 3 Ellis Ave., Morphettville, and formerly of Pleasant Park, Mount Gambier ; aged 28 years. R.I.P. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
Border Watch Saturday 29 May 1943, STEELE.-In loving memory of SX7776 Pte. Ross Steele, who died of injuries abroad on May 29, 1942. At the going down of the sun And in the morning, We will remember them. Sadly missed by mother, sisters and brothers. Advertiser STEELE.—In loving remembrance of our darling son and brother Ross, killed in Syria. May. 1942. Not just today, but every day. In silence we remember. Sadly missed by mother and family. STEELE - In loving memory of my dear twin brother Ross, accidentally killed in Syria. May 29, 1942. Forever remembered by his loving sister Val.
Border Watch Saturday 27 May 1944, STEELE. In loving memory of SX7776 Pte. Ross Steele, who died of injuries abroad, May 29th, 1942. R.I.P. At the going down of the sun And in the morning, We will remember them. Sadly missed by mother, sisters, and brothers. Advertiser STEELE. —In loving memory of our darling brother Ross, died Syria, May 29, 1942. Memories live forever for Val. STEELE.—In fond memory or our darling son and brother Ross, died in Syria May 29, 1942. Sadly missed by mother, brothers and sisters.
Border Watch Tuesday 29 May 1945, STEELE.-In loving memory of SX7776 Pte. Ross Steele; 2/48 Batt, Abroad, who paid the Supreme Sacrifice on May 29th, 1942. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. Sadly missed by mother, sisters and brothers. Advertiser STEELE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Ross (SX7776), died in Syria, May 29, 1942. Resting with his comrades brave, a little cross marks our hero's grave.—Sadly missed by mother and family. STEELE.—In fond memory of our dear brother, Ross, died in Syria, May 29, 1942. In silence we remember.—Never forgotten by Val and Ray.
Border Watch Thursday 30 May 1946, STEELE—In loving, memory of SX7776, Pte, Ross Steele, who made the supreme sacrifice, May 29th, 1942. They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them. —Sadly missed by Mother, Sisters and Brothers.
Border Watch Saturday 31 May 1947, STEELE —In loving memory of SX7776, Pte, Ross Steele, 2/48 Batt., paid the supreme sacrifice abroad, May 29, 1942. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them." Ever remembered by Irene and Jack. Advertiser STEELE. — In loving memory of Ross, 2/48th Bn, X7776. accidentally killed in Syria, May 29. 1942. We shall always remember when the rest of the world forgets. — Sadly missed by twin sister Val and brother-in-law Ray. STEELE.—In loving memory of Ross. SX7776. 2/48th, accidentally killed Syria, May 29. 1942. A tender page of memory is softly turned today. — Sadly missed by mother, brothers and sisters.
Border Watch Saturday 29 May 1948, STEELE - Fond memories of SX7776, Pte. Ross Steele, who paid the supreme sacrifice abroad, May 29, 1942. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Ever remembered by Jack and Rene. Advertiser STEELE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Ross, accidentally killed in Syria, May 29. 1942. — Always remembered by his loving mother and family. STEELE In fond memory of my twin brother Ross, killed In motor accident in Syria, May 29. 1942. 4 Treasured memories live for ever. Inserted by Val and Ray.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.