Source: Per Sgt. Beadle service record notation on his promotion.
Family Search: When Sergeant Abbott Elmer Ross was born on 27 October 1891, in Gosfield, Essex, Canada West, British North America, his father, John Ross Jr., was 37 and his mother, Esther Jannette Daniels, was 32. He married Edna May Slote on 22 January 1920, in Essex, Essex, Ontario, Canada. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. He lived in Essex, Essex, Ontario, Canada in 1901 and Gosfield North Township, Essex, Ontario, Canada in 1931. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1921, his occupation is listed as plumber and owner, a. ross plumbing company in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada. He died on 8 October 1974, in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 82, and was buried in Victoria Memorial Gardens, Oldcastle, Essex, Ontario, Canada.
Author/Publisher of a series of 18th Battalion Memories, circa 1970.
Maybe you had Ross Plumbing and Heating in your homes in the 1950s-1970s.
Did you know it was owned by a bona fide war hero?
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when two platoons were ordered to establish posts in the enemy’s line. Owing to very heavy shelling the party suffered several casualties, and he displayed fine leadership in keeping them under control and organizing them. After reaching the objective he took charge of a bombing party and advanced towards the enemy’s support line, clearing the dug-outs, and finally encountering vastly superior numbers. After the party had inflicted may casualties on the enemy he caused a barricade to be placed in the trench and held it until the newly occupied position was consolidated. To his initiative and fine leadership can be attributed much of the success of the operation.”
Source: London Gazette. No. 30495. Page 1344. January 26, 1918.
Awarded for actions on October 22, 1917.
Sergeant Abbott Elmer Ross, DCM, lived in Windsor most of his life and gave to his community.
He was Reeve for Gosfield North in 1936.
His wife, Edna May Slote (1901-1999), was very active in local society.
He was also a member of the Board of St. Barnabas Anglican Church (1956).
He became President of the 18th Battalion Association and contributed to the “Memories” it published at the close of that Association’s term in the late 1960s.
With all that, he was also a father of two children, Evelyn Mae Ross (1920 – 25 December 1988) and Murray Elmer Ross (June 1923 – 22 April 1998). Between the two children there were 5 grand and great grandchildren in the family at Ross’ passing.
He is buried at Victoria Memorial Gardens, Oldcastle, Essex County, Ontario, Canada having passed away at 82 years old on 8 October 1974.
Obit
A. E. Ross dies at 82 in hospital
Abbott E. Ross, 82, of 3599 Dougall Rd., active in the plumbing and heating field here for more than half a century, died today at Metropolitan General Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Ross was president of Ross Plumbing and Heating which he established 53 years ago. For several years he was a plumbing inspector for the city.
He is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, a sister, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Mr. Ross served overseas in the First World War and was a member of the 18th Battalion Association and the Essex branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Walter D. Kelly Funeral Home, 1969 Wyandotte St. E., with Rev. Archdeacon Lester J. Patterson officiating.
The Windsor Star. 8 October 1974. Page 5.
Wed, Oct 30, 1968 ·Page 12.
Sergts. Abbot Ross and Edward Clapp, of the 18th battalion, London, returned to London Monday Morning. They were in the city on military business and spent a day at their homes. Saturday night the sergeants of the Twenty-first regiment gave a social evening in their honor.
Source: November 30, 1914. Windsor, Ontario. Via post 18th Battalion Facebook Group.
Duty Nobly Done Pg. 163 First soldier to enlist. Distinguished Conduct Medal.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when two platoons were ordered to establish posts in the enemy’s line. Owing to very heavy shelling the party suffered several casualties, and he displayed fine leadership in keeping them under control and organizing them. After reaching the objective he took charge of a bombing party and advanced towards the enemy’s support line, clearing the dug-outs, and finally encountering vastly superior numbers. After the party had inflicted may casualties on the enemy he caused a barricade to be placed in the trench and held it until the newly occupied position was consolidated. To his initiative and fine leadership can be attributed much of the success of the operation.
Source: London Gazette. No. 30495. Page 1344. January 26, 1918.
Awarded for actions on October 22, 1917.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 