#814153 Pte. Donald Ross
187th Batt
C.E.F.
1898 ~ 1918
Copyright Stephen Workman
Donald Ross was the beloved son of Mrs. Mable Ross, cherished older brother of Katie. Born, Grafton Ontario, 1898. Died Sept 2 1918, after becoming lost behind the lines and mistakenly entering German held trenches.
In 1903 Donald was to begin school. He cried inconsolably the first day and refused to attend without his sister. She began school one year early. In January 1916, not yet 18 he joined the Canadian Army, trained at Valcartier Camp and was sent overseas in November, but not before proposing to a local girl who refused him. He was wounded in the battle of Vimy Ridge and spent the next 14 months in ‘Blighty’ waiting to be sent back to France at any time. Many of his letters home from this period contain a foreshadow of his eventual death. In several he mentions his aspiration to become a Parliamentarian.
His descriptions sent to his father, mother and sister of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the night before in which his unit was snipered mercilessly while digging a jumping off trench are a marvel of understated horror. During the time he was in England he became engaged to a young English woman, Alice Folkes. He died after being sent back to France in August 1918 and was killed the day before his wedding date.
Donald is remembered in his over 200 letters home, all of which have survived in remarkable condition, and in letters of condolance sent by his Fiancees family to his own. Perhaps most poignant is the letter which his mother sent to Donald’s ‘good friend Cormers’ begging for some details of her sons death. Cormer was dead and so the letter had been returned and then added to the collection. Whe I read the letter I imagine that it contains within it’s fibres the salt from tears which fell upon it 80 years ago. Donald’s close and loving relationship with his family has resulted in an openness in his letters which is always tempered by his desire to prevent unecessary suffering of his family and mother.
All the letters were kept for 79 years by his sister Katie until her death in 1995, when they were given to her daughter, (my mother), and then to me.
It is my intention to publish the collection in it’s entirety as I believe this the most appropriate way for such a collection to be read and experienced. The letters provide a unique insight into how this war was experienced by both those at home in Canada and by the private soldier. At this point I have transcribed over 120 letters.
Included below is an series of excerpts from his letters, originally published in the Globe and Mail, Facts and Arguments Section, on Remembrance Day 1997.
Biography
Letter 1 Jan. 1 1918 from France to his mother in Ontario
Letter 2 May 3, 1917 from Hospital to sister Katie
Letter 3 Aug. 1 1917 from hospital to his father
Letter 4 Dec. 30 1917 from hospital to his mother
Letter 5 March 1918 from his sweetheart (Alice Folke’s) home in England to his mother
Letter 6 March 15 1918 to his mother telling her he has volunteered for France
Letter 7 Sept 17 1918 Telegram to Hugh Ross (Donald’s father) reporting death of Donald Ross
Letter 8 Oct 23 1918 from his mother in Grafton Ontario to Soldier named Cormers asking about her son’s death
Letter 9 Oct 29 1918 from Eunice Folkes in Eng to Donald’s mother in Ontario
Letter 10 Oct. 29 1918 from Alice Folkes (Donald’s sweetheart) in England to Donald’s parents
Letter 11 Oct. 30 1918 from Marjorie Folkes in England to Donald’s mother in Ontario