Last of the diggers

John Campbell “Jack” Ross, Australia's last remaining World War I veteran, has died, aged 110. At the time of his death he was also Australia’s oldest man. According to his obituary in The Age he died peacefully in his sleep at the Golden Oaks Nursing Home in the central Victorian city of Bendigoon 3 June.

Mr Ross enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in January, 1918 and trained at the wireless training school before he was posted to the 1st Battalion at Broadmeadows camp in Victoria. However, the war ended before he could be posted overseas.

He was awarded the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance medal in 1998 to commemorate the end of WWI. He also received the Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian society in the 100 years since federation.

According to the BBC Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Kevin Rudd paid tribute to Mr Ross, saying Australia "owes so much to this brave war generation...Today [Wednesday] we mourn the death of Jack Ross...I ask that we also reflect on the service and sacrifice of the 417,000 Australians who served our nation during World War I and the 61,000 who gave their lives,".

There are now just five WWI veterans alive:

Henry Allingham, Harry Patch, Claude Choules (British although Choules, the only veteran also to serve in WWII, lives in Australia)

John Babcock (Canadian but resident in the USA)

Frank Buckles (American)