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John Ross sailed for South Africa with his comrades of the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders aboard the transport ship "Mongolian" on the 21st October 1899, arriving at Cape Town on 16th November.
The Seaforths formed part of the 3rd or Highland Brigade despatched for active service in the spiralling conflict against the Boer republics. They were joined on this voyage by 2nd Battalion Black Watch, 1st Battalion Highland Regiment and the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
As we know the Highland Brigade would be tested with some of the sternest fighting of the war when the Boers were at the peak of their powers inflicting heavy losses on the British during "Black Week."
Lance Corporal John Ross would have been present at the battle at Magersfontein, where his battalion suffered severely with 5 Officers and 53 men killed in action or mortally wounded, 7 Officers and 136 men wounded and around 14 taken as prisoners of war.
This would have been followed by the skirmishes around the Koodosberg district where losses were 1 Officer and 3 men killed in action and 17 wounded.
The butcher's bill for the battle of Paardeberg was also severe with 2 Officers and 50 men killed or died of wounds, 5 Officers and 95 other ranks wounded.
Some severe (a word I have used often in this report but which I make no apology for owing to the casualty lists) skirmishing and firefights were experienced by John Ross and the Seaforths during the movement between Bloemfontein Waterworks and Heilbron under General Colville.
John Ross survived unscathed from the previously mentioned actions where so many of his comrades fell.
Following the prematurely celebrated peace in South Africa and commencement of the guerilla stage of the war, John Ross became a member of the 12th Mounted Infantry raised in response to the highly mobile nature of the Boer Commando
He obviously acquitted himself well, for he was mentioned in Field Marshal Roberts' dispatch of 4th September 1901, published in the London Gazette dated 10th September 1901 on page 5949.
It would appear that life as a soldier and mounted infantryman on the veldt was going well for our man Ross. He had survived some bloody battles, and avoided the debilitating effects of drinking contaminated water. Has been promoted to Corporal and been mentioned in dispatches by no less than "Bob's" himself!
However, a cruel twist of fate would mean that he was to remain on the African continent for eternity.
6283 Corporal John Ross was accidentally drowned at Pienaar's River (Watt 2000; quotes Elands River) on 11th November 1901, no doubt attempting to cross the river in full spate following one of the many and frequent deluges on the veldt.
Fortunately, his body was recovered from the river and interred at Petronella Cemetery and his name commemorated on Monument 1.
He is also remembered on the memorial cross dedicated to the fallen of the Seaforth Highlanders at the corner of States Square and Ferry Road, Dingwall, Scotland.







For his service in South Africa John Ross was posthumously awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps CAPE COLONY/PAARDEBERG/DRIEFONTEIN/TRANSVAAL/WITTEBERGEN/SOUTH AFRICA 1901

I have been unable to find anything from his pre -military life, presumably in Scotland, as no attestation papers appear to be available.
Any further information from fellow forum members would be much appreciated in perpetuating the memory of this highland soldier.

Hi Steve
He was born in Edinburgh, a Coachman by trade.
His mother was called Margaret and he had a sister called Jessie.
His personal effects record is available. Interestingly, there is a note of an alias recorded as John McGarth
Cannot access the Scottish census papers. But possible clues in the Ancestry cover page reference family members.

A fine purchase to add to your casualty collection.

Dave........

Thanks for your input Dave.
Maybe McGrath was his mother's maiden name?