Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son Edwin Knight Ross, a shoe maker, born 1864 in Wigston, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ross (nee Clarke), a stocking trade machinist, born 1866 in Blaby, Leicestershire. Edwin was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Blaby, his siblings were, William Dann, born 1892 and Katie, born 1899, both his siblings were born in Blaby, in March 1901 the family home was at Wrights Yard, 29, Wigston Road, Blaby. In the 1st quarter of 1905 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Edwin’s mother died aged 38. In April 1911 Edwin was employed as a farm worker and was residing in the family home together with his widowed father, a shoe trade riveter, and his brother Alfred, born 1902 in Blaby. In Edwin’s service records he is shown to be lodging at 12, St. Michael’s Avenue, Melton Road, Belgrave, Leicester, this was the family home of Mrs. Eliza Townsend, who completed the ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family), and describes herself as Edwin’s foster mother, however Eliza makes no mention of Edwin’s father, who was still alive, he died in 1941, nor his older brother William, and younger brother Alfred who were both alive in May 1919, though Edwin’s sister Katie died in 1904.
Edwin attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours) and in the Army Reserve on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Blaby, Leicester, his age as 20 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as bricklayer’s labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he was residing as a lodger at 12, St. Michael’s Avenue, Melton Road, Leicester. He gave his father Edwin Ross, address unknown, and his mother (deceased), and his older brother William, Engineer, HMS Skirmisher as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6¾ inches in height, weighed 112 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a mark on his left shoulder. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 14782 on the 8/9/14. Transferred to the Army Reserve on the 8/9/14. Rejoined from the Army Reserve on the 14/9/14. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 25/9/14. Deducted 7 days pay by the Commanding Officer for absence on the 12/5/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force, France on the 29/7/15. Posted to the Depot on the 21/2/16. Killed in action, place not stated on the 18/5/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/9/14 – 28/7/15, 324 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 18/5/16, 295 days. Total service 1 year 254 days. Edwin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Edwin’s Foster Mother Eliza Townsend on the 10th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by P. Williams, Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Belgrave, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Step Mother of soldier, Mrs. Eliza Townsend, 12, St. Michaels Avenue, Melton Road, Belgrave, Leicester. Edwin’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 18 May-16 - TRENCHES, HANNESCAMPS. Minnenwerfers again active, although our patrols have been out every night no enemy patrols have been encountered. 2nd Lt. F. CRESSWELL was killed by machine gun fire whilst wiring.