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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

James Forsyth Ross

In memory of:

Lieutenant James Forsyth Ross

December 22, 1941
Stanley Mound, Hong Kong

Military Service


Age:

40

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.

Citation(s):

1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Mention in Despatches.

Additional Information


Born:

December 28, 1900
Quebec

Son of John Theodore Ross and Mable Katie Burstall, of Québec, Québec. His cousin, Francis Donald Ross, matricule X-71, Royal Rifles of Canada, was a prisoner of war in Hong Kong and survived the war.

He served in Québec, in Newfoundland with Force W and in Hong Kong with C, commanding the 12th Peloton, B Company. He was first buried in Stanley View, but his grave was destroyed in subsequent combats, and his body was not recovered.

Commemorated on Page 43 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

SAI WAN MEMORIAL
Victoria, Hong Kong

Grave Reference:

Column 23.

Location:

This SAI WAN MEMORIAL honours over 2,000 men of the land forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who died in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War. The SAI WAN MEMORIAL is in the form of a shelter building 24 metres long and 5.5 metres wide. It stands at the entrance to Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery, outside Victoria, the capital of Hong Kong. From the semi-circular forecourt, two wide openings lead to the interior of the building. The names are inscribed on panels of Portland stone. The dedicatory inscription reads:


1939 - 1945 The officers and men whose memory is honoured here died in the defence of Hong Kong in December 1941 and in the ensuing years of captivity and have no known grave.

The northern side of the Memorial is open and four granite piers support the copper roof. From a commanding position 305 metres above sea level, it looks out over the War Cemetery where some 1,500 men lie buried, and across the water to Mainland China - a magnificent view of sea and mountains. The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries. One can also get a taxi from Chai Wan Terminus and follow the same route. Alternatively, one can board a public light bus, Route No.16M, which runs from Chai Wan MTR Terminus to Stanley. En route to Stanley the minibus will pass Sai Wan War Cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– Lieutenant JAMES FORSYTH ROSS is one of 22 members of the Royal Rifles of Canada,  Royal Canadian Infantry Corps who are commemorated on this panel of the Sai Wam Memorial.  He was one of 290 Canadian soldiers killed during the defense of Hong Kong, from December 8th to December 25th, 1941
  • Inscription– Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL.  This memorial  bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians
  • Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Photo of James Ross– In memory of those who served in Hong Kong during World War 11 and did not come home. Submitted with permission on behalf of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association by Operation: Picture Me.
  • Photo of James Ross– Lieutenant James Forsyth Ross courtesy McGill University archives
  • Newspaper clipping– Lieutenant James Forsyth Ross obit Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph Jan 7 1943 courtesy McGill University archives

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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