Ross, Charles Frederick Douglas

Charles Ross was born on June 25, 1889 in Tranmere, England, to parents Douglas and Alice Ross. He was raised in England with siblings, Clifford, Evelyn, Florence, Hilda, Lillian, and Norman. As a young man, Charles immigrated to Canada, and found employment with the Canadian Pacific Railway. His position as an engineer took him west to Alberta. Although his home was in Calgary, he was well known throughout the CPR lines in Southern Alberta. On September 23, 1914, Charles Ross travelled to Valcartier, Quebec to enlist. He was among the first young Canadians to sign up for service in the Great War. Sapper Ross was assigned to the Canadian Engineers, embarking for England on October 3, 1914. On June 1, 1915, he arrived in France, and three months later, received a promotion to Lance Corporal. By January 1916, Lance Corporal Ross was commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the 3rd Tunneling Company Canadian Engineers. Lieutenant Ross saw action with this unit in France and Flanders. On May 9, 1916, Lieutenant Ross was supervising the positioning of mines in Trench 42 prior to the Battle of Mount Sorrel, when he was shot by a sniper and killed instantly. He was laid to rest at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground. Charles Ross was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. His mother, Alice received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her son