Ross Tollerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross Tollerton
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| Born | 6 May 1890 Hurlford, East Ayrshire |
| Died | 7 May 1931 (aged 41) |
| Buried |
Knadgerhill Cemetery, Irvine
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1905 - 1912, 1914 - 1919 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Unit | The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Royal Scots Fusiliers |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Ross Tollerton (born May 6, 1890 – died May 7, 1931) was a brave Scottish soldier. He was born in Hurlford, Ayrshire. Ross Tollerton received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy. It is given to soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.
A Heroic Act in World War I
Ross Tollerton was 24 years old when he showed incredible courage. He was a private soldier in the 1st Battalion of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. This happened during the First World War.
The Battle of the Aisne
On September 14, 1914, a big battle was happening in France. It was called the First Battle of the Aisne. Private Tollerton saw his officer, Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson, get hurt. The officer was wounded and in danger.
Tollerton bravely carried his wounded officer. He moved him under heavy enemy fire. He took him to a safer place as far as he could. Even though Tollerton himself was wounded in the head and hand, he did not stop.
He then went back to the front lines. He stayed there fighting until his group had to retreat. After that, he returned to the wounded officer. He stayed with him for three days. Finally, both of them were rescued. For this amazing act of bravery, he was given the Victoria Cross.
Life After the War
After his time in the army, Ross Tollerton started a new job. He became a school janitor in Irvine, Ayrshire. He later married a woman named Agnus Muir. Agnus had a son named Robert from a previous relationship. Ross and Agnus did not have any children together.
His Legacy
Ross Tollerton never fully recovered from his war injuries. He sadly passed away in 1931 at the age of 41 from an illness. Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson, the officer he saved, sent flowers to his funeral.
Ross's wife, Agnus, passed away in 1939. After her death, his Victoria Cross medal was given to his brother, Alexander Tollerton. Later, Alexander's wife gave the medal to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Museum in 1956. It is still displayed there today.
You can see Ross Tollerton's Victoria Cross at the Highlander's Museum. This museum is located at Fort George in Inverness-shire, Scotland. His brave actions were also captured in a painting by an artist named Allen Stewart.
