ANZAC Day 2012 - Age shall not weary them

In memory of Ross Charles Cole Born 15th March 1916 Died 17th September 1940, aged 24

Naval Gunner on the SS Tregenna, torpedoed by UB64 in the North Atlantic, whilst providing convoy to a merchant fleet bringing steel rods from the USA to Scotland. Ross had finished his shift, and was asleep below when the torpedo struck amid-ship. The ship went down in 2.5 minutes. Only four hands survived.

Ross' parents, Cyril and Jenny, lived in Brisbane. Ross was my father's first cousin.

In September 2011, I was contacted by a chap from the Australian War Memorial who had located my details on Ancestry.com. He gave me the third degree about my relationship to Ross Cole. I let him have information by both barrels. He was satisfied, and told me that he had something for my wider family.

A box had been found in a deceased estate being readied for sale, and handed in to the AWM. It contained original photographs, and original letters to and from Ross Cole from September 1939 until his death the following year. There were also letters returned to his parents from his digs in the UK. Letters he never opened.

I am currently reading this material, and determining how to present it to our Cole Family Reunion in March 2013.

Lest we forget.

Photo 1 - Entry in the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial for Ross Charles Cole Photo 2 and 3 - two of the few remaining images of Ross Photo 4 - an unopened letter from his 17 year old cousin, Norma, returned to Ross' parents