The Prelude

This is a quest for discovery, understanding and closure. A mere 12 months ago, the names of Mervyn and James Robert Ross, were nothing more to us than engravings on a marble wall, distant relatives whose lives were lost in a conflict before our time, and beyond our cognisance. Their names were never mentioned, even by siblings.....their history never passed down the generations.

In 2009, some of the cloud surrounding these boys was lifted. A wartime diary written by James surfaced, and a photograph of Mervyn was passed to the family, items that created a contemporary and more personal aspect to these gallant boys.

However, it was not until the family was contacted by the Australian Army, that we really started to delve into the records, to garner any available, personal details to enable us to "know" these boys better, and to understand what transpired almost 100 years ago.

Mervyn, the second eldest of six, was the first to enlist in the AIF in July 1915, eager, no doubt, to join the fray "over there". James, the eldest, enlisted a few months later, probably not to be outdone by little brother, or possibly because the promise of adventure was too much to resist. We'll never know the truth of it, just as they probably never knew the hell they were heading for.

With the knowledge now of how and when they met their fate, it is opportune to follow their footsteps to northern France, to the one-time Western Front, where so many lives were cruelly and needlessly ended, and yet from that sacrifice, we live the free life we do today.

Amongst other stops, this journey will take us to Fromelles, where Private Mervyn Ross 1040 will be commemorated at a new cemetery at Pheasant Wood, on 19 July 2010, the 94th anniversary of the battle that claimed his life. And a few days later, we will visit Mouquet Farm, the likely site of the battle that killed James Robert Ross 4693 on 31 August 1916, just six weeks after Mervyn.

I ask that you join me on this quest, share the emotion with me, elation and despair. Have a thought for the boys' parents, James Waddle and Mary Ann, and the heartbreak they must have felt, on receiving those dreaded telegrams on the other side of the world, probably within days of each other.

I hope that through my eyes (camera lens), and words (this blog), you will enjoy the experience as much as me.