Ross, Ian Stewart
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Ian Stewart |
Surname | Ross |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Date of Death | 12-01-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander McLachlan Ross (known as Alec), and of Christina Lillian Ross, of Alphington, Victoria, Australia. The next of kin held by CWGC were his sisters, Nan Ross and Jean Ross, because his mother had been so badly affected by the death of the his father during WWI, F/O Ross did not wish her to have to receive a telegram should he be killed. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | NF992 |
Markings | KC-B B-Beer |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 283. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 92 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 18839 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 617 |
Squadron Motto | Apres moi, le deluge (After me the flood) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | Thorpe Camp, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial with Inscribed Lettering and Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those who flew from RAF Woodhall Spa during WW2, including 619 Sqn |
Location | St. John the Baptist Church, Bamford, Derbyshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed painting and Framed inscribed Scroll |
Memorial Text | A painting given to Bamford Church by 617 Sqn RAF |
Location | South Tower, Ladybower Dam, Derbyshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating the raid on the Rhur Dams by 617 Sqn RAF in May 1943 |
Location | Adjacent to South Tower, Ladybower Dam, Derbyshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Information Board |
Memorial Text | An information board detailing the raid on the Rhur Dams by 617 Sqn RAF in May 1943 |
Location | St. Vincents Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial & Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating the HQ of 5Gp Bomber Command 1937-1945 where the Rhur Dams raid by 617 Sqn RAF was controlled from |
Location | Thorpe Camp Museum, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | In memory of all who served at RAF Woodhall Spa 1941 - 1945 |
Location | Jubilee Gardens, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablets |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the members of 617 Sqn RAF who gave their lives during WW2 |
Location | Jubilee Gardens, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Memorial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the members of 617 Sqn RAF who have given their lives since 1945 |
Location | Eyebrook Reservoir, Caldecott, Rutland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating 617 Sqn RAF which practiced here before the Rhur Dams raid in May 1943 |
Miscellaneous Information
Enlisted in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia, originally as an engine fitter but remustered as a pilot following the sinking of HMAS Sydney with the loss of all hands including two of his family members. He was born in Camberwell, Victoria but the family moved to the Alphington suburb of Melbourne after his father's death. |
On his 70th operation when killed (second tour- first having been with 57 Sqn). Transferred to 617 Sqn for Op. Taxable but made permanent afterwards. One engine of this aircraft was snagged in a fishing net and is undergoing restoration in Norway. |
His father served with 39 AIF Infantry Batalion in France 1916-17. He was shot through the head by a Sniper in Feb 1917 and was also struck at the same time by a mortar shell and spent a prolonged period in hospitial as a result of his injuries in England. He did not return to Australia until early 1918 and was discharged as medically unfit not long afterwards. Despite these injuries both he and his wife raised two daughters and a son, Ian. Alec's brother also died of his wounds after also being wounded in 1917 with the same Battalion, both brothers rest together in Victoria. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2128/36 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2128/35 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 12-01-1945 |
End Date | 12-01-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Woodhall Spa |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Bergen |
Reason for Loss | While in the target area, at approx 1300 hours, the aircraft was seen to lose an engine. The bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft set course for base. An enemy fighter attacked and was believed to have damaged the aircraft. NF992 was successfully ditched at 59.57N 04.15E. Another Lancaster circled the position and reported the position. Five or more members of the crew were seen to climb onto the wing. Another returning aircraft reported seeing 7 members of the crew. The machine was still afloat after 30 minutes. An ASR Warwick subsequently dropped an airborne lifeboat and it is believed survivors got on board. The Warwick then left the area on the approach of hostile aircraft. |