Is this Hercules Ross, grandson of the early Edinburgh photographer, Horatio Ross?

Was this Hercules Ross?

Steve Beadle who provided the photograph above believes that it may be of Hercules Ross, younger brother of John Alexander Ross and a grandson of the early Scottish photographer, Horatio Ross.

Steve writes:

"I have titled one Hercules Ross because I have taken an educated guess. The picture was taken and mounted by GW Lawrie & Co, Lucknow Naini Jal & Mussoorie".

This photo is one of three that Steve sent to me. The other two are of Mrs Hercules Ross, one from the studio of William Crooke in Edinburgh.

An obituary to John Alexander Ross (1873-1959) published in The London Scottish Regimental Gazette, May 1959 refers to John's brother, Hercules. It says:

"Hercules Ross, joined the 2nd Bn London Scottish on its formation in the 2nd World War, and was commissioned in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

He went with the 18th Division to Singapore. He was a prisoner in Thailand and worked on the 'Death Railway'. In spite of great hardships and illness, he survived."

The obituary also refers to Edward Ross, uncle of John Alexander Ross

"Edward Ross won the first Queen's Prize at the age of 18, when he was in the University of Cambridge Volunteers. He was a member of the London Scottish for some years."

Answer 1

Thank you to Alison Ramos who sent the following comments on the portrait of the army officer, above.

Alison wrote:

Who is this?

"I am wondering if the photograph of the army officer, above, might in fact be Horatio St. George Ross and not Ian Ross's son Herky, who did indeed survive POW camp in WW2.

The uniform looks more WW1 to me.

I am surprised that the older brother, John, died in 1959. I cannot remember hearing about this. After he came back from India he took me to the movies and out dancing at the Cafe de Paris! It was a bit old (40ish) for me but he was a very nice man.

The trouble is with this family is that there were altogether too many Herculeses and Horatios! There is another possibility in Horace's brother, Hercules Grey Ross.

Help!

I would like to try and sort this out with your correspondent as I bet he has valuable info from his side."

I agree, it's confusing. If Alison (or anybody else) is able to provide a part of the Horatio Ross family tree, I would be happy to add that to the web site, to help us all get a better understanding of this family.

Peter Stubbs October 14, 2006

Answer 2

Thank you to George T Smith, British Columbia, Canada who sent the following comments about the uniform.

George wrote:

The Uniform

"The photograph looks about WWI to me too - a Lieutenant Colonel in a regiment "IP "?

The uniform looks like the braiding of the Rifle Brigade so I imagine some infantry regiment or perhaps 'Indian Police', initials IP?

Agatha Christie should be alive today!"

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: October 15, 2006

Answer 3

Thank you to John Duncan who wrote:

Police Uniform

"Regarding Hercules - I don't think he is wearing an army uniform; I think he was a Chief Superintendent in the Indian or maybe Imperial Police. The IP on his epaulette certainly suggests that.

The cap badge is very similar to those worn by English police officers. (I'm a Scottish one.)"

John Duncan: October 15, 2006

Answer 4

Thank you to George T Smith, British Columbia, Canada who sent this message agreeing with John Duncan.

George wrote:

Police Uniform

"I, too, am inclined to the view that Horatio Ross is wearing a police uniform.

The crown is certainly a Queen's crown. The crowns alternate between monarchs. QEII has a 'dipped' top, so go back by monarchs and you arrive at Victoria, but I can't decipher the cipher"

George T Smith, Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: October 21, 2006

Answer 5

Thank you to Dr Stephen Davies, Hong Kong, who also believes that the photo is probably of Hercules Ross.

Stephen wrote:

Indian Police Uniform

"If you look closely, you can see that the shoulder flashes are of the Indian Police. Given that Hercules Ross served in the IP, I think the photo is probably him or, presumably (if there’s no definite Ross attribution) of a colleague."

Dr Stephen Davies, Museum Director, Hong Kong Maritime Museum: November 23, 2007

Request

Family Tree?

I agree with Alison; the family is confusing. If Alison (or anybody else) is able to e-mail me a part of the Horatio Ross family tree, I would be happy to add that to the web site, to help us all get a better understanding of this family.

- Peter Stubbs October 14, 2006