ROSS, WILLIAM DOWNIE
Rank:
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Date of Death:
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Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
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Fusilier
2391043
01/10/1944
29
Royal Welch Fusiliers 4th Bn.
I. E. 1.
William Downie Ross was born 25th August 1915. He was killed during the battle for Reusel. Initially buried at Steensel.
The information his mother was given about his death was that he had just been promoted and stood up to give orders to his men – he was shot in the back as he stood up.
George Ross gave me information on his brother William. He also included a letter about both of them and another brother James who were all fighting in the area at the same time.
George Grant Ross, now 91, was wounded on 23rd October 1944, he was in Blackwatch Regiment and received a medal from the Dutch government for the liberation of Holland. Something I never knew. He was in Eindhoven when injured. He was given permission after the death of William to see the other brother James. Believe it or not he is also still alive!
Son of Alexander Spencer Ross and Agnes Baird Ross (nee Cross) of Leven, Fife, Scotland. Husband of Edna Ross (nee young) and beloved brother of 9 siblings at the time of his death. Two brothers, George and Jame were fighting in the same area when the tragedy occured.
Initial gravesite at Steensel.
From the service records of William Downie Ross, the following account can be reconstructed.
William Downie Ross was born on 25 August 1915 in Scoonie, Leven, Fifeshire. He enlisted in the British Army on 4 June 1942 and was posted to the 2nd Department Battalion, 2nd Scottish Line of Communication.
He married Edna Joan Young on 30 June 1943 in Liverpool. The couple had one child.
William Downie Ross embarked for service in North West Europe on 3 June 1944. On 1 August 1944 he was transferred to the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
According to his service records, he was 5 feet 3¼ inches tall, with fair hair and blue eyes.
William Downie Ross was killed in action on 1 October 1944.
William `Bill` his wedding with Edna on the 30th of June 1943.
