John Campbell Ross
Encyclopedia
John Campbell Ross was at the time of his death Australia's oldest man and the last Australian veteran of the First World War
(Claude Choules
who was also living in Australia until his own death was a veteran of the Royal Navy).
Born in Newtown, Victoria
, a suburb of Geelong
, Ross served as a wireless operator in the First Australian Imperial Force
, enlisting in January 1918, but never left Australia or saw active service. He later went on to serve in the Second World War as a corporal with the 20th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps
.
His wife, Irene (née Laird), had been deceased by several decades before Jack Ross's death. He is survived by a son, Robert, a daughter, Peggy Ashburn, four grandchildren- Janette, Heather, Kay, and John – and nine great-grand children.
On 11 November 1998, Jack Ross had been awarded the 80th Anniversary Armistice Medal to mark the end of World War I. Jack also had been awarded the Centenary Medal
for doing his share to the Australian society in the 100 years since the federation.
The death of William Evan Allan
in October 2005 left Ross as the last Australian digger
from World War I. However Claude Choules
, a World War I veteran who served for Britain, lived in Western Australia. Ross became Australia's oldest man at the age of 108, on 12 June 2007, upon the death of Frank Scarrabelotti
. Following the death of 112 year old E. Beatrice Riley
, he was verified as the oldest person in Australia.
Ross celebrated his 110th birthday with chocolates and cake and a commemorative letter from the Prime Minister of Australia
Kevin Rudd
.
As a civilian, Ross worked for Victorian Railways
until he retired in 1964. Ross died peacefully in his sleep at approximately 4 am. at the Golden Oaks Nursing Home in Bendigo
on 3 June 2009, aged 110.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(Claude Choules
Claude Choules
Claude Stanley Choules was the last World War I combat veteran, and was the last military witness to the scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow. He was also the last veteran to have served in both world wars, and the last seaman from the First World War...
who was also living in Australia until his own death was a veteran of the Royal Navy).
Born in Newtown, Victoria
Newtown, Victoria
Newtown is an inner western suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is a primarily residential area occupying one of the highest points of urban Geelong, has always been a desirable place of residence and it is the location of many of Geelong's oldest and most valuable properties.The locality of...
, a suburb of Geelong
Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
, Ross served as a wireless operator in the First Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
, enlisting in January 1918, but never left Australia or saw active service. He later went on to serve in the Second World War as a corporal with the 20th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps
Volunteer Defence Corps (Australia)
The Volunteer Defence Corps was an Australian part time volunteer military force of World War II modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in World War I...
.
His wife, Irene (née Laird), had been deceased by several decades before Jack Ross's death. He is survived by a son, Robert, a daughter, Peggy Ashburn, four grandchildren- Janette, Heather, Kay, and John – and nine great-grand children.
On 11 November 1998, Jack Ross had been awarded the 80th Anniversary Armistice Medal to mark the end of World War I. Jack also had been awarded the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for doing his share to the Australian society in the 100 years since the federation.
The death of William Evan Allan
William Evan Allan
William Evan Crawford Allan was, at age 106, one of Australia's last living veterans of World War I. Moreover, he was the last remaining Australian veteran who saw active service in both World War I and World War II...
in October 2005 left Ross as the last Australian digger
Digger (soldier)
Digger is an Australian and New Zealand military slang term for soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. It originated during World War I.- Origin :...
from World War I. However Claude Choules
Claude Choules
Claude Stanley Choules was the last World War I combat veteran, and was the last military witness to the scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow. He was also the last veteran to have served in both world wars, and the last seaman from the First World War...
, a World War I veteran who served for Britain, lived in Western Australia. Ross became Australia's oldest man at the age of 108, on 12 June 2007, upon the death of Frank Scarrabelotti
Frank Scarrabelotti
Frank Scarrabelotti was Australia's oldest man at the time of his death aged . Australia's oldest person at the time of his death was Myra Nicholson, who died later in 2007 at the age of 112....
. Following the death of 112 year old E. Beatrice Riley
E. Beatrice Riley
Emily Beatrice "Bea" Riley was a supercentenarian, who at age of 112, the oldest verified living person in Australia following the death of 112-year-old Myra Nicholson on 20 September 2007...
, he was verified as the oldest person in Australia.
Ross celebrated his 110th birthday with chocolates and cake and a commemorative letter from the Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
.
As a civilian, Ross worked for Victorian Railways
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations...
until he retired in 1964. Ross died peacefully in his sleep at approximately 4 am. at the Golden Oaks Nursing Home in Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
on 3 June 2009, aged 110.
See also
- List of Australian supercentenarians
- List of last surviving World War I veterans by country
- List of veterans of World War I who died in 2009–11
- LongevityLongevityThe word "longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography or known as "long life", especially when it concerns someone or something lasting longer than expected ....
- SupercentenarianSupercentenarianA supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....