John Alexander Rossborough

First Name: 
John
Middle Name: 
Alexander
Last Name: 
Rossborough
Mother's Name: 
Margaret (nee Crerar)
Father's Name: 
John Rossborough
Date Enlisted: 
Wednesday, April 4, 1917
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Cprporal
Unit: 
Field Artillery Brigade
Company: 
Reinforcement 30
Service: 
Artillery
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Saturday, December 16, 1950
Place of Death: 
North Sydney
Details: 

John Rossborough (Service No 37453) was born in Wollongong, NSW about 1894, one of two children born to John and Margaret Rossborough, an old pioneering family from the district. The family had a saddlery business in Wollongong. They were heavily engaged in the local community, sport and the Presbyterian Church.

John was a member of the Junior Cadets and became a Colour Sergeant in the Senior cadets. After this he joined the CMF and was a Lieutenant. He had long home service with them and after 4 attempts was finally successful applying for active service. He resigned his CMF comission so he could enlist, but was promoted to Corporall on 5th June 1917. At the time of his enlistment he was a single 23 year old analytical chemist.

John enlisted in the AIF and embarked on HMAT A15 Port Sydney on 5th November 1917 with the Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 30. He saw service in England and France. John returned to Australia in October 1919 and was discharged medically unfit on 9th January 1920.

After the war he worked at the head office of the Water Board. John did not marry and died at age 56. His health had not been good as he had been in Concord Military Hospital prior to his death. He was buried with his parents and survived by his sister. John is remembered on the Wollongong Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, ROSSBOROUGH JOHN ALEXANDER