Ross Tollerton (1890 – 1931) Hurlford-born Private in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders who earned the Victoria Cross for his actions at the First Battle of the Aisne in France.

Ross Tollerton’s father was a police officer, and was stationed in Irvine and the family moved to East Road in 1901. Ross attended Bank Street School before joining the 1st Cameron Highlanders aged 15. He served in South Africa, Hong Kong, China and was stationed in India. He left the army in 1912 and worked in the Irvine Shipyard and became a reservist. 

On September 14, 1914 at the battle of the Aisne, he carried a wounded officer under heavy fire as far as he was able into a place of greater safety, then, although himself wounded in the head and hand, he struggled back to the firing line, where he remained till his battalion retired, when he returned to the wounded officer and lay beside him for three days, until they were both rescued. 

The V.C. was presented to Ross by King George V on Glasgow Green on 18 May 1915 before a crowd of 50,000. Large crowds greeted him on his return to Irvine that same evening. 

Further Reading

Ross Tollerton at VConline.org.uk

Ross Tollerton at VCGA.org