A family connection in the UK, Cathy Ritter, whose grandmother was sister-in-law to Chrysantheous Christos, sent details of this image of Charlie Ross's third son, when he joined the army in 1916. Both he and Charles Vangelios Ross served in the First World War, and perhaps more remarkable, survived it.
The information cites C.C.Ross as being promoted to the rank of Major, but there is no evidence for this in his military records and it is likely to be an error. And the spelling of his name is wrong but that was the way of it for him from the time that he was born and his father's heavy accent had him down as Clesanthows Ross in the birth records.
The correct spelling was Chrysantheous and it was more likely to be Christos than Christus.
The glass image is available for sale.
Half-plate glass negative of Chrysanthous Christus Ross wearing World War One military uniform, standing outside in front of a stone building. Written in pencil on side of plate: 'C.C. Ross 12/10 12 Cabs and Bro.' Bottom section of glass plate has snapped off.
One of a collection of glass plate negatives of South Australian soldiers, likely produced in metropolitan Adelaide from late 1914 to 1916. The majority of the images are single portraits and demonstrate a wide variety of uniforms, accoutrements and weapons, including swords and rifles with and without fixed bayonets, and various backdrops including outdoors, against buildings, and studio shots with a rural idyll woodland background.
Included are portraits of men in twos or groups of three or more, some with wives and sometimes children and parents. Some portraits feature warhorses, senior offices, a quartermaster, and the crew of a West Spring Gun.
The original paper envelopes of a number of the glass plates have survived, providing the name of the soldier along with details of the types and quantities of prints ordered. One of the envelopes gives details of the maker, Edwards and Errington of 52 Flinders Street, Adelaide. See B 74889-B 75011, B 75104.
No. 2976 Private Chrysanthous
Christus Ross, son of Mrs Mary Ross, was born in Gladstone, South Australia. He
worked as a labourer before enlisting with the AIF on 27 January 1916. He
served with the 32nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement, and embarked from Adelaide
on board the HMAT A60 'Aeneas' on 11 April 1916, on the Western Front. He was
promoted to the rank of Major. Died 14 September 1949.
https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+74911
Cathy also provided the following information:
Missing on 12.8.16.
Going back to Chrysanthious Ross:
This is the service record I have seen on the Internet where he is shown as a Private and then discharged wounded on 22.8.1920. https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/305980/30
I have found him and Alice buried in Dudley Park Cemetary, Adelaide.
Cathy also provided the following information:
James Mashford Atkins - Age 24 5/12 on 28.11.1914 Mother Annie Atkins. Has his description on. He was listed as unfit with a left hernia.
John Raymond Atkins - Age 21 7/12 on 25.2.15 - Mother Annie Atkins. Noted as absent from parade on 8.4.15. Drunk and using obscene language. Stkiking a superior officer. Resisting escort. Breaking away from guard with loaded rifle. Awarded 28 days No 2. FP
I have also found this family tree by Elizabeth Giles on the internet https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Atkins-3680 but James Mashford Atkins is not listed as a brother. I wondered if there has been a hearing problem along the line and it should be James not Haynes.
I have found him and Alice buried in Dudley Park Cemetary, Adelaide.
