8/282 Private George Andrew (20/1/1893-6/5/1915) and 45128 Private William (26/12/1889-10/10/1917) Ross.

George Ross volunteered for the Army in August 1914. He landed on Gallipoli peninsula with the Otago Infantry Regiment in April, 1915.

He was wounded on May 3rd, an otherwise quiet day for the Otagos, between the initial landing and the advance against Turkish lines a few days later. He caught a bullet in his back and one in his left thigh and was evacuated to a hospital ship, where he died.  He would have been buried at sea.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

CLUTHA DISTRICT RESIDENTS. 

Our Balclutha correspondent writes: — This week's casualty lists have brought the war home to many Clutha people. Out of respect for Private Ross (who died of wounds) the flag at the Balclutha Borough Chambers was flown at half-mast on Wednesday. Private George Andrew Ross was a member of a pioneer Warepa family, well known throughout Clutha. His parents are dead, but an elder brother is living at Warepa, and a sister in Dunedin. He was about 22 years of age, and, prior to enlisting with the main force, served in Balclutha as a blacksmith's assistant. Of a very jovial and generous nature, he became a very popular young man. He was a member of the Clutha Football Club.   -Otago Daily Times, 13/5/1915.

William Ross was working as a labourer at Puerua, not far from Warepa, when he joined the army in January, 1917.  It seems  he did not reach the front line before he contracted german measles.  This led to bronchial pneumonia, from which he died in a hospital in Etaples, France.

PERSONAL NOTES

Private William Ross, whoso name appears in one of the latest lists of New Zealanders killed in action, left with the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements. He worked for six years with Mr W. Dalgleish (Puerua) prior to leaving for the front, and was exceedingly popular with all who know him. His brother George was killed at the landing at Gallipoli, and another, brother, Mark, was invalided home as a result of wounds received in battle.  -Lyttelton Times, 24/10/1917.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

ROSS — On October 10, 1917, at 46th Stationary Hospital, Etaples, France, from pneumonia, Private William Ross, dearly beloved second son of the late William and Marion Ross, Warepa; in his 27th year. 

He gave his life for his country.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/11/1917.

Warepa Cemetery, South Otago.