Corporal William Ross

 

 

William Ross, was born on 5 October 1894 at Corragole, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, the fourth of six children of farmer John James Ross and his wife Isabella (née Balfour). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living in High Street, Enniskillen, at the home of hardware merchant Jason Law and family, where he worked as a hardware apprentice.

Ross enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 23 October 1914 (No. UD/65). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and most of its men were transferred to the infantry.

Ross, however, was one of fourteen of the regiment who just prior to that (on 18 July) had been transferred to the Military Mounted Police (No. P/12040). He remained with the military police until the end of the war.

After the Armistice he served in the Army of Occupation, stationed at Cologne, before returning home in July 1919. On 5 January 1920 he joined Royal Irish Constabulary (No.70062) and though initially rejected on medical grounds, served at Roscommon, Gormanston Camp and Londonderry until 31 May 1922, when he was discharged on the disbandment of the RIC.

On 8 August 1928 he married Elizabeth Jane Badger at Tobermore, County Londonderry.

By 1959 Ross was living at 23 Empire Avenue, Dungannon, County Tyrone, and working as a labourer. He died on 16 June that year in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, as a result of complications following a motor vehicle accident (see article below).

 

Belfast Telegraph, 24 June 1959

 

 

 

I am grateful to Corporal Ross's daughter, Regina Ross McAlister, for providing these pictures of her father, and his service certificate.

 

This page last updated 16 February 2023.