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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 945

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

Five: Master D. Ross, Merchant Marine, who survived the sinking of the Empress in July 1917 and went on to become a Ships Master during the Second World War

British War Medal 1914-20 (WR-602161 Spr. D. Ross. R.E.); Mercantile Marine Medal 1914-20 (Donald Ross); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France & Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, minor official correction to the second, very fine (5)

Donald Ross was born at Aberdeen on 9 June 1898. Working as Cabin Boy with the Merchant Marine, his first ship was the St. Magnus in 1913 at Orkney. Promoted Cook and Officer's Steward in August 1914 with the T. W. Stewart a role he continued to serve in during the Great War.

Entering the role of Able Seaman in 1916 Ross was aboard the S.S. Empress when she was torpedoed and sunk on the morning of 31 July 1917. The Empress struck a mine which had been laid by UC.63, a specialist mine-laying submarine. In a letter to his Grandson, Ross describes the scene:

'I was in the water an hour and 5 minutes and only 5 minutes in the boat that picked me up when I got put aboard the destroyer.'

He goes on to note that the crew of the vessel were not aware of their destination but that they believed it to be Italy. Five men are noted as having been killed aboard the Empress however Ross' letter makes note of six names upon the memorial for the sinking, suggesting that another crewman may later have died of his wounds. Surviving the ordeal himself Ross was later recruited into the 74th Company, Inland Water Transport and Docks, Royal Engineers.

After the war Ross was to see continued Merchant Marine service switching between the ranks of Bosun and Able Seaman depending on the ship he was aboard throughout the 20s and 30s. Bosun of the Kilorumy in October 1939 he was promoted Master with the Dundee Perth London Company in January 1940 he was to serve in this role throughout the war and after.

Master of the Morton Corbett in October 1952 Ross later commanded the Anno and Deneside, and finally retiring 1958 as a result of ill health. Taking up residence of The Royal Alfred Seafarers Home, Belvedere, Kent he died there on 9 November 1975.

Sold together with an original archive comprising:

(i)
A typed summary of the recipient's career.

(ii)
Copied M.I.C.
iii)
Ministry of Defence correspondence confirming the recipient's entitlement.

(iv)
An original Certificate of Identity.

(v)
Typed research on the Inland Water Transport and Docks.

(vi)
A copied Merchant Marine Medal Roll.

(vii)
Three copied and annotated photographs.

(viii)
A handwritten list of ships the recipient served aboard with dates, destinations and the rank he held on the journey.

(ix)
A handwritten letter from the recipient to his grandson giving details on the sinking of the S.S. Empress

(x)
Three discharge books and a number of certificates of discharge stapled into a booklet.

(xi)
The DP&L Pictorial History.

(xii)
A copy of Merchant Ships 1959.

For the medals of his Son-in-Law and Grandson, please see Lots xxx and xxx.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£170

Starting price
£100