A brave airman who found love and lost his life in World War II has been recognised in his hometown of Bundaberg, with Streets of Remembrance signage added to the street named after him.
Ross Street in Svensson Heights now displays the badge of the Royal Australian Air Force in honour of Flight Sergeant Herbert John Ross.
Life in Bundaberg
Herbert was born in Bundaberg on 3 April 1916 to Isabella and John Ross.
He attended Christian Brothers High School on Woongarra Street and passed his general exams in 1931 with first class in algebra, arithmetic and geometry.
He was involved in local sports, having represented Bundaberg in hockey, played A-grade cricket and was captain of a football team.
Herbert passed his exams for bookkeeping in June 1933 and later studied accountancy with Mr W Schoch of Barolin Street, completing a diploma of bookkeeping (intermediate).
He was unmarried and worked as a clerk at Wyper Bros Ltd in Bundaberg when he enlisted for service, aged 24 years.
At the time, he lived with his siblings on Gavin Street, Bundaberg North, with his sister Eileen listed as his next of kin as their parents were deceased.
Wartime service
With no previous flying experience or pilot licence, Herbert was accepted as Air Crew in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 3 February 1941.
He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman in March 1941, Sergeant in September 1941 and Flight Sergeant in March 1942.
Herbert was posted to bases in Evans Head and Sandgate before embarking for the United Kingdom, arriving 23 November 1941.
There he was posted to No. 1 Signals School and Operational Training Unit at Cottesmore, Rutland, before joining the No. 35 Squadron.
While in England, Herbert met and married a lady named Elsie Ethel from Romford in Essex.
Elsie was added to Herbert’s RAAF records as his next of kin, along with his sister Eileen who was to be notified of casualties.
Throughout his service, Herbert flew Moth, Douglas and Fairey aircraft, and received the Air Gunners badge and Target Finding badges.
Herbert was reported missing while on active operations in Hoogstraten, Belgium and was presumed killed on 30 May 1943, aged 27 years.
Commemoration
Herbert was commemorated at Schoonselhof Cemetery in Belgium where his cross bears the inscription “In everloving memory of a beloved husband and brother”.
He is also remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico and the International Bomber Command Centre Memorial in Lincoln, UK.
He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star and the Defence Medal for his service.
Elsie was granted a war widow’s pension. She later remarried and moved to Wellington in New Zealand.
Ross Street in Svensson Heights was named after Flight Sergeant Ross in July 1951.
Service Number: 405233
Information about Flight Sergeant Ross’ life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Virtual War Memorial and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Streets of Remembrance program
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
