Jan 27, 1897

Born in Halton County, Ontario

Sep 20, 1915

Attested into the 70^th Battalion CEF in St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø  Number 123729

o   His initial number was 189175, but in April of 1916 it was changed to 123729

Ø  Next of kin given as Lizzie Ross, mother, West Lorne, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Nov 6, 1915

Transferred to the 91^st Battalion CEF to continue training in St. Thomas and was assigned to “A” Company

Jun 25, 1916

The battalion boarded a train in St. Thomas to head off to war

Jun 29, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Otterpool

Jul 15, 1916

Transferred to the 12^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling to continue training

Aug 20, 1916

Transferred to the 75^th Battalion

Aug 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 75^th Battalion

Oct 7, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion without having left the base depot

Oct 8, 1916

TOS the 21^st Battalion

Oct 9, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Ross joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Val de Maison, France as part of a draft of 80 reinforcements to replace the losses the previous month at Courcelette

May 18, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from duty with the Training Battalion

May 30, 1917

Reported sick but returned to duty the same day

Jul 30, 1917

Attached to the 4^th CIB (Canadian Infantry Brigade) for duty

Aug 8, 1917

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Dermatitis.  He was transferred the same day to the Divisional Rest Station for treatment

Aug 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance to continue his recovery and the diagnosis was changed to read Herpes Facilis Cevorcalas

Sep 17, 1917

Discharged to duty with the 21^st Battalion from the field ambulance

Oct 22, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Nov 5, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Nov 9, 1917

The men of the 21^st Battalion were involved in 2 separate incidents on this date involving casualties from artillery fire.  The first was a work party that suffered heavy casualties when an artillery shell exploded in the midst of a company of men moving up to the work area.  The second involved an artillery barrage on the front line trench occupied by the battalion which caused many casualties.  It is unclear which incident that Private Ross was involved in, but he suffered shrapnel wounds to his side, arms, chin, and both legs.  He was evacuated to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.

Nov 12, 1917

Private William Herbert Ross died of his wounds while at the No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, south of Poperinghe, Belgium

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William Ross, RR No. 2, West Lorne, Ontario

 
There was no Memorial Cross issued

William Herbert Ross is honoured on the West Lorne, Ontario War Memorial