They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

William Garfield Ross

 

Stoker Petty Officer, V10019, RCNVR

 

Born: 15 May 1899, Indian Head, Saskatchewan

 

Died: 25 Jun 1940 at sea

 

Book of Remembrance

 

ROSS, William Garfield, Sto PO, V10019, RCNVR MPK - 25 Jun 1940, HMCS FRASER - Son of William Ross, and of Emma Ross, of Regina, Saskatchewan; husband of Marguerite Ross, of Regina.

 

Stoker PO Ross died when his ship, HMCS FRASER, was in a collision with HMS CALCUTTA 12 miles due west of Pointe de la Coubre light at the Gironde River mouth and sank as a result with the loss of 65 of her crew.

 

William Garfield Ross of Regina, Saskatchewan was born at Indian Head and was a fireman for Imperial Oil when he enlisted in the RCNVR on June 29, 1923 at Regina, Saskatchewan. He was discharged in 1927, re-enlisted 1930-35 and finally re-enlisted in 1938. Ross also enlisted in the 249th Battalion at Regina near the end of World War I (he had to lie about his age) when his family was living at Instow northeast of Shaunavon. William Ross joined the Regina post office staff Dec. 12, 1936, first as a letter carrier and later as a mail porter. "He was one of the nicest chaps and finest men we had on our staff" Mr. LaBalle said. Before the war he resided at 2024 Osler Street. He is survived by his wife who now resides at 21 McCarthy apartments. (Transcription from article on the death of Sto PO William Ross)

 

Ships served in:

REGINA DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 29 Jun 1923 as a Stoker 1st Class, RCNVR

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 06 Jul 1923 - 29 Jul 1923 for training

* Rated Leading Stoker, RCNVR 01 Mar 1924

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 13 Apr 1924 - 04 May 1924 for training

* Discharged 12 Dec 1927 - changed place of residence

REGINA DIVISION RCNVR - Re-entered 20 Oct 1930 as a Leading Stoker, RCNVR

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 26 Oct 1930 - 24 Nov 1930 for training

* Rated Stoker Petty Officer RCNVR 01 Dec 1930

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 23 Jan 1931 - 09 Mar 1941 for training 

HMCS ARMENTIERES - Lent to ARMENTIERES from NADEN for training  04 Feb 1931 - 03 Mar 1931

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 04 Mar 1932 - 18 Apr 1932 for training

HMCS SKEENA - Lent to SKEENA from NADEN for training 01-09 Apr 1932
HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 13 May 1933 - 05 Jun 1933 for training

HMCS NADEN - Served in NADEN 01 Apr 1934 - 07 May 1934 for training

* Discharged 02 Dec 1935 - Inability to attend drills

REGINA DIVISION RCNVR - Re-entered 17 Oct 1938 as a Stoker Petty Officer RCNVR.

* Commenced Active Service 14 Sep 1939

HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 14 Sep 1939

HMCS RESTIGOUCHE - Drafted to RESTIGOUCHE 21 Sep 1939

HMCS FRASER - Drafted to FRASER 23 Mar 1940

 

Documents from the Service File of William Ross

 


 

Second World War Casualty Index

 

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