Ross Tollerton

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Photo from Spartacus Internet Encyclopedia (first W

Ross Tollerton (born May 6, 1890 in Ayr, Ayrshire) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 24 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 14 September 1914 at the Battle of the Aisne, France, Private Tollerton carried a wounded officer (Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson), under heavy fire, as far as he was able, into a place of greater safety. Then, although he himself was wounded in the head and hand, he struggled back to the firing line where he remained until his battalion retired. He then returned to the wounded officer and stayed with him for three days until they were both rescued.

After his career in the army he took up a position as school janitor in Irvine, Ayrshire. He married later in life to Agnus nee Muir and due to this they had no children during their marriage, although Agnus had one son, Robert, from a previous relationship. Ross Tollerton never recovered from his injuries and at the age of only 41 he died from Stomach cancer in 1931. Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson sent a wreath. His widow died in 1939 at the age of 78 in which his Victoria Cross was passed over to his brother, Alexander Tollerton. It was Alexander's widow who eventual went on loan the Cross long-term to the Cameron's Own Highland Museum in 1956 and where is remains to this day.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queens Own Highlanders (Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland).

His act of bravery is also depicted in a painting by Allen Stewart.