Rowney, Albert Ross
Private Albert Ross Rowney, known as Ross Rowney, was born in Campbelltown SA on 25th November 1893. He was the eighth of ten children, and the third son, of Edward Rowney and Annie nee Casson. Prior to World War I (1914-1918), he worked as a carpenter.
Described on his enlistment form as 5 feet 5¼ inches tall, with blue eyes, dark hair, and a dark complexion. From all accounts, he was a gregarious and well-liked member of the local community. A member of the Campbelltown Methodist Tennis Club.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at the age of 21 years in 9 months on 12th August 1915, and embarked for overseas service at Adelaide per HMAT “Benalla” on 27th October 1915. He first joined the 6th Reinforcement, 27th Battalion, and then transferred to the 10th Battalion on 28th February 1916 at Serapeum, Egypt.
Wounded in Action in France on 6th May 1917 with shrapnel wounds to both legs, he re-joined his Unit on 2nd July 1917, after convalescing at the 7th Canadian General Hospital, Étaples, France, for a little under two months.
Reported as Missing in Action at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, during the Battle of Passchendaele, on 8th October 1917, aged 23 years and 11 months. Pronounced Killed in Action seven months later on 16th May 1918. His death is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, however, his body was never located, and he has no known grave.
Ross Rowney is also remembered at the Campbelltown Soldiers’ Memorial, located on the corner of Gorge and Lower North East Roads, Paradise.
The following account of his death came via the South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau, in response to an enquiry by his mother, Annie Rowney:
“We were on Westhoek Ridge on Oct. 8th in close reserve. Rowney and some others were in a dugout. When a shell hit them killing one man, Tom – blew the other man’s legs off. He died of wounds afterwards, and hit Rowney. This was about 2 chains [40 metres] away Rowney started back to our lines. He was wounded in left leg and the left arm was broken, blood was all over him. He said “The men in the humpy were badly hurt, go and see to them.” He pushed through our lines to D.S. [Direct Support (Artillery)] a mile away. Never heard any more of him. We held the ground. They used to shell the road heavily over which he travelled.” Informant: – A. F. Dryer 6991, 10th Battalion, Harefield. London, 19.3.18.
An affecting part of his legacy are copies of his wartime letters to one of his older sisters, Rose Laver (nee Rowney), transcribed below.
Letters from Ross Rowney to his sister
(260 kb)
If you have any comments or questions regarding the information in this local history article, please contact the Local History officer on 8366 9357 or hthiselton@campbelltown.sa.gov.au