John Ross
Corporal, Corps of Royal Engineers
- Register No.
- 1083 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- Corps of Royal Engineers all Corps of Royal Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 21 July 1855 on this day → all of 1855 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24th February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- in 1822 at Inch, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland
- Died
- 23rd October 1879 at London
Digest of citation
On 21st July 1855, at Sebastopol, Crimea, a working party of 200 men went out, each carrying an entrenching tool and a gabion *, under the charge of Corporal Ross. Before morning they had connected the distance from the 4th parallel right attack, to an old Russian rifle pit with a long line of perfect cover. Whilst under very heavy fire, on 23rd August 1855, with Corporal Ross in charge of the advance from the 5th parallel right attack on the Redan, they filled 25 gabions and placed them in position. On the night of the 8th September 1855, he crept to the Redan, where he reported the enemy's evacuation and carried back a wounded man . Taking advantage of this information, the British took place. for filling with earth or stones, for fortifications or buildings
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ROSS, John. (reg No. 1083).
Corporal. Corps of Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857.
Born in 1822 at Inch, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland.
Died on 23rd October 1879 at London. Unmarked Grave at Islington Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads: On 21st July 1855, at Sebastopol, Crimea, a working party of 200 men went out, each carrying an entrenching tool and a gabion *, under the charge of Corporal Ross. Before morning they had connected the distance from the 4th parallel right attack, to an old Russian rifle pit with a long line of perfect cover. Whilst under very heavy fire, on 23rd August 1855, with Corporal Ross in charge of the advance from the 5th parallel right attack on the Redan, they filled 25 gabions and placed them in position. On the night of the 8th September 1855, he crept to the Redan, where he reported the enemy's evacuation and carried back a wounded man . Taking advantage of this information, the British took place.
* Gabion:- a cylindrical basket of metal or wicker, used, by engineers, for filling with earth or stones, for fortifications or buildings Additional information:. Army No. 997, Corporal John Ross was decorated by Queen Victoria during the Investiture at Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. He was later promoted to Sergeant.
Additional information
Army No. 997, Corporal John Ross was decorated by Queen Victoria during the Investiture at Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. He was later promoted to Sergeant.
* Gabion:- a cylindrical basket of metal or wicker, used, by engineers,
Unmarked Grave at Islington Cemetery, London.
Places connected with Ross
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