Ross, Ronald Campbell (Sergeant, b.1889 - d.1948)

Diaries of No. 181 Sergeant Ronald Campbell Ross (8th Australian Light Horse Regiment). There are eight original diaries, some being contemporary rewritings (with minor amendments) of others by the writer, and a bound typed transcription (with biographical notes, reproductions of maps, photographs and documents, footnotes and an index). The diaries cover Ross's service from enlistment in February 1915 until his return to Australia in October 1919. He fought on Gallipoli from 21 May until evacuation because of illness on 28 August 1915, and the diaries describe his participation in trench line action, including the battle of Lone Pine on 7 August. After returning to Egypt, they describe his experiences and activities in detail, especially his involvement in major actions against the Turks in Palestine, including at Romani/Katia and Magdhaba (1916), Rafa, Beersheba and El Burj (1917), and Es Salt (1918), and comment on military developments in the theatre. Ross received a number of promotions and the diaries document his increasing command and leadership responsibilities.