Alex has spent a lifetime in the sewing industry and is considered one of the foremost experts of pioneering machines and their inventors. He has written extensively for trade magazines, radio, television, books and publications world wide. This is a little extra to the normal sewing machines.

"If the British Empire and its Commonwealth lasts for a thousand years...men will still say...this was their finest hour!"

Winston Churchill

You may wonder why I have added this page about J. K. Ross on my sewing site?

In Eastbourne Auctions, where I occasionally search for my antique sewing machines, I picked up some pieces from one of his hurricanes that had crashed after being shot down at Rochester in 1940. I was immediately fascinated.

After winning the bid in the auction I rushed home with my bits of hurricane to find out what I could about our hero.

I was surprised to find almost no information about the young lad that had fought and died so bravely to protect our country.

So I started my search and with the help of a few family members I have put down what I could find out in the hope that it may help any family relative who is searching for more information.

Battle of Britain

Pilot Officer J K Ross, 79163, DFC, Green Section 17 Squadron

Hurricane Mk1 P3536

A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 17 Squadron markings

Pilot Officer Jack Kenneth Ross DFC was a veteran of the air battles over Dunkirk prior to the Battle of Britain. The experience that he gained harrying German planes over Dunkirk proved invaluable to Jack.

He was one of special 'Few'. The 2927 young men from Great Britain and overseas, pilots and aircrew, who are officially recognised as having taken part in the Battle of Britain.

These men fought hard and died young. Amazingly, we sit here today due to their sacrifice. Had Britain lost in the air, the invasion was already planned.

Invasion of Britain would have been the final goal of domination in Europe by Hitler.

This in turn would have led to Germany having time to finish development of their nuclear weapons, something that was thankfully cut short. Had Germany succeeded in being the first to gain Nuclear weaponry their domination of the world would have been complete.

These, and many more, plans failed due to those splendid young men and women who died for freedom, our freedom, in the skies of Britain on that long hot summer of 1940.

This is the story of Jack Ross our forgotten hero.

17 Squadron received their first Hurricanes in the June of 1939.

In June 1940 Jack's squadron was in Brittany defending the remnants of the British Expeditionary Force as they were being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk.

Constant attacks by German planes on the retreating forces were hampered by British pilots running skirmishes along the coast. This helped over 300,000 troops to escape capture by the rampaging advance of the enemy.

Pilot Officer Ross was flying a hawker hurricane, a single-seat fighter of the Royal Air Force. The hurricanes saw more action in the Second World War than any other type of aircraft and with their eight Browning machine-guns they shot down more enemy airplanes than any other fighter.

The success of the Hurricane has placed it among the great airplanes of all time.

After heavy fighting in France and over the skies of southern England the Squadron returned to Debden Airbase on the 2nd of September 1940. This was the start of the planned enemy invasion of Britain.

Firstly the airfields were to be demolished, then the infrastructure, then Operation Sealion. The mass invasion of Great Britain.

Without air supremacy a land invasion was impossible. The Luftwaffe had to destroy our air force for all Germany's other plans to take effect.

Unlike some of the Squadrons, No 17 Squadron was not rested but fought all the way through the Battle of Britain.

On the 7^th October German bombers set London Docks ablaze.

Sunday 13^th of October 1940

Sunday started with early fog, clearing to a fine morning with broken cloud thickening later in the day. London and Kent were under constant attack by enemy aircraft some dropping parachute mines with devastating effect on civilian targets. A convoy was attacked off the East coast followed by raids over Thames estuary and Kent.

At 12.48 hours Green section of 17 Squadron was once again scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft. Around 25 enemy aircraft came over the Channel at Hythe toward Lympne.

At 13.35hrs, two more waves of over 30 flew up the Medway. The first wave penetrated to Central London but the second were intercepted at Dartford and repelled with heavy losses.

Ground forces manned the Anti-Aircraft positions and spotters called out their marks as the skies were plastered with Ack-Ack.

The fighting became intense and the skies became patchy with cloud. As Pilot Officer J K Ross darted in and out of the clouds chasing his enemy he was hit by our own Anti Aircraft fire.This was not uncommon as a plane in hot pursuit of the enemy was also in direct line of fire from the ground and our own guns.

He bailed out of his stricken Hurricane P3536 at 13:51hrs. Pilot Officer Ross was wounded but parachuted to safety. His plane crashed into the Medway river bank at Rochester at 13.54hrs.

Pilot Officer Ross was rushed to Gravesend Hospital.

As he recovered the Battle of Britain came to a close. The huge losses encountered by the Luftwaffe made it impossible for them to continue their assaults.

Although Britain was not safe and would still come under terrible bombardments no invasion was possible.

The Few had done their job and although a pilots life was measured in days not years Jack Ross had survived the worst aerial attack in history.

In a fury Hitler called of Operation Sealion. He then looked East for domination of Russia and their oilfields.

Britain was temporarily safe as long as no weapon of mass destruction were available.

 Russia was now under attack.

At the First Protocol Moscow Conference, Britain decided to send 200 aircraft a month, between October 1941 and June 1942, to help Russia survive the onslaught. The British factories were now at full production with many women taking over men's jobs who were away training and fighting.

Jack Ross had survived his crash and after a short period of recuperation he once more returned to active duty. His skill and experience was dearly needed.

From snippets of information from relatives I have gathered this information. I am not sure how accurate it is.

What was left of the depleted 17 Squadron joined with the newly re-formed 134 Squadron out of Leconfield in the summer of 1941.

The Squadron was to form part of 151 Wing bound for Russia.

Germany attacked Russia in 1941 and from that point on Russia and Britain became allies. Russia was poorly equipped and used a strategy of burn and retreat against the Germans while they tried to arm themselves.

Winston Churchill promised Russia support and part of the support to protect the Russian convoys were two new RAF squadrons 81 and 134 which formed part of 151 Wing of the RAF in late summer of 1941.

Equipped with 11B Hurricane aircraft the Hurricane Wing was shipped to Vaenga aboard the Aircraft Carrier HM Argus along with the pilots necessary to train the Russians in their new Red Air Force One. They set sail on August 19 from Glasgow toward Scapa Flow.

Such was the vital importance of their mission that no expense was spared to see that they made as safe a crossing as possible.

They sailed from Scapa Flow to Murmansk on August 30 with three Tribal Class destroyers and the Cruiser HM Shropshire as escort.

From Iceland to Spitzenbergen where they were to meet up with HM Aircraft Carrier Victorious and three more destroyers.

This dangerous voyage was shadowed by the Germans and were under constant threat. the Aircraft Carrier Victorious mounted surveillance missions and shot down a Dornier 17 that was spying on them. Several times along the route planes were scrambled to meet possible German threats.

B-team Flight Commander J K Ross was amongst the men on this perilous journey. He was now an experienced fighter downing at least seven enemy aircraft with more to follow in Russia.

He had also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in the face of the enemy but his life and the other pilots were now in the hands of the Navy.

The convoy changed headings several times to avoid being ambushed. Now there were 11 ships including two aircraft carriers trying to make Vaenga. Churchill's promise to the Russians was of the utmost importance and the convoy with its precious cargo of pilots and planes had to make it through.

They arrived on 7 September off the coast of Russia (more Hurricane's followed in the spring of 1942).

Now it became more dangerous for the pilots as they had to fly the planes off the decks of the aircraft carriers which were rolling in the rough seas off the Russian coast.

151 Wing was a conglomeration of survivors and squadrons including Squadron Leader Rook with 81, 134 and 504 Squadron.

The team, as far as I can find out, many from 17 Squadron, consisted of:

Wing Commander Isherwood

Squadron Leader A G Miller

Flight Sergeant Turner

J K Ross

Cameron

Flight Lieutenant Berg

Furneaux

Wollaston

Melann

Sheldon

Sergeant Barnes

Sergeant Clark

Sergeant Campbell

Sergeant Gould

Sergeant Campbell smashed his undercarriage on the ramp at the end of the deck during lift-off as did Flight Lieutenant Berg. They both had to make emergency crash landings at Vaenga but survived.

Jack Ross led B Flight, 134 Squadron, and all his squadron took off and landed safely at Vaenga. Jack was flying Hurricane Z3763.

The Russian General delighted to see the British pilots invited them to a big supper where he introduced them all to the Russian pilots.

Jack noted that as the evening progressed and the vodka flowed each Russian boasted more and more German planes shot down. Each announcement was met with a round of applause and cheering and another toast.

By the end of the night most Russians had apparently shot down at least 19 German planes each!

Jack was so hung-over that the next few days were a blur. He not only missed all the entertainment put on for the pilots but training and the camp concert! He faired better than many of his men who had passed out before the first evening was over.

Training operations began in earnest at Vaenga on the 11 September and Jack Ross, though almost half the size of some of the Russian pilots soon showed his worth and technical skills.

By now Jack Ross was a superb pilot and his training was to prove invaluable to the Russians and their oncoming fight with Hitler.

Hard training followed for the young Russian pilots led by Captain Kuharenko and Captain Safanov. I bet more of the hard drinking followed as well knowing the Russians, bring on the vodka boys...

The Russians were not only friendly but deadly keen to get their planes into action to protect their Motherland. Mother Russia was worth dying for and the sooner they could get the Hurricanes into the air the sooner they could attack the German invaders.

134 Squadron in Russia. Picture courtesy of Imperial War Museum London. Jack Ross is far right.

To begin with Patrols were sent out to observe the enemy especially along the Finnish border but with orders not to engage. This was ignored by most of the Russian pilots who were fearless flying through German flak attacking anything they could.

The Russian fuel was a danger in itself as it was poor quality, low octane and and dirty. On one patrol flying Hurricane Y-Z3763 Jack's engine cut out no less than three times over enemy territory!

Back at base Jack shouted so much at one of the Russians in charge of the fuel that the Russian ran off and came back with a bottle of Vodka to calm him down.

As the Russians progressed patrols were sent out to escort Russian bombers on raids over the German advancing lines. Jack led several missions to destroy enemy positions.

On 27 September Jack was hit by anti aircraft fire while flying a mission over the front line but managed to get back with his engine spurting out black smoke.

Pilot Officer Captain Jack Ross DFC removing his parachute after a dog-fight. He is in front of his Hurricane Z3763. Note the well wrapped Russian looking on and the state of the runway they had to land on.

Several Russian pilots were killed during this time in bombing raids, dog-fights and recon flights. Flight Lieutenant Berg was injured but recovered to fight on.

Captain Safanov was awarded the Soviet Gold Star and became a hero of the Russian people. He then started to train other Russian pilots and was a natural leader. His ability to take off on the rough often-frozen airfield was second to none.

During October the Germans figured out where the aircraft were coming from and attacked the airbase. Luckily A Flight were already up in the air and B Flight managed to take off during the bombing raid as the field was raked with machinegun fire and bombs.

Now that the Germans knew where they were more attacks followed and most times with no warning so Jack would have to take off amid bombs raining down on the airfield. This is where the rugged endurance of the Hurricane paid dividends.

For the next few weeks it was a cat-and-mouse game of hit-and-run with the Germans. They would suddenly appear, attack, then disappear. For example they would bomb Murmansk and flee before Jack and his squadron could find them.

With the Russians fully trained and combat hardened Jack and his team's roll was coming to an end. On 19 October, a few miles from Murmansk Sound, the planes that the Squadron had brought with them were officially handed over to the Russian pilots.

The Russians formed No 1 Russian Hurricane Wing of the Red Air Force, with three Hurricane Squadron's led by Senior Lieutenant Yakovenko with Captain Safanov and Captain Kuharenko leading a squadron each.

I bet there was some goodbye celebrations that night!

Jack Ross and his fellow pilots, with their mission and training complete, returned to Britain sailing from Vaenga (now Severomorsk, Murmansk Oblast) on 28 November.

In December 1941 the Squadron gathered Spitfires and Hurricanes at Catterick to take to Northern Ireland, arriving in January 1942.

This is the last little bit that I could find out...

Death of a hero

Pilot Officer Jack Kenneth Ross DFC was killed in action a few days later on 6th Jan 1942, possibly over the Irish Sea.

I could find no details about how he died or if his body was recovered.

I would love to be able to complete the final part of his brief and turbulent life. If you have any information about him please mail me: alexsussex@aol.com

There is a memorial with Jack Ross's name at Runnymede.

From the poor photo below only Bird-Wilson survived 17 Squadron.

Bird Wilson once recalled his fear as his tiny squadron of 12 Hurricanes faced down over 100 German planes.

Bird-Wilson was one of the lucky few who survived the war.

                                                    Green Wing 17 Squadron 1940.

 Left to right.KIA, (Killed in Action).

Sgt G A Steward, KIA 23/10/1941.

P/O D H Wissler, KIA 11/11/1940.

P/O J K Ross, KIA 6/01/1942.

F/O H A C Bird-Wilson survived.

Sqd Ldr C W Williams KIA 25/08/1940.

Sgt D A Sewell KIA 19/03/1944.

Flt Lt Jack Ross, third from left, was a formidable flyer with several German aircraft under his belt. What he lost in height he made up with in determination and skill.

Jack Ross is one of our British heroes. I raise my hat to those special few that sacrificed their young lives so that we may live free. His name is carved with pride on the Battle of Britain memorial Roll of Honour.

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
 Winston Churchill

Jack Ross DFC
 

Any direct relative of J K Ross can contact the Service and Personnel Veterans Agency with his service number. From that they should be able to tell you which medals he was awarded and a copy of his service record including where he was killed. The number is 0800 169 2277. www.veterans-uk.info If you do find out please let me know. I cannot contact them as I am not a relative.  alexsussex@aol.com

Hurricane Rolls-Royce Merlin engine from Z2389

This is the Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine from Hurricane Z2389 which was crated and shipped to Russia in early 1942. The Hurricane was shot down over Siberia in May 1942 while being flown by a Russian pilot for the Red Air Force. The surviving parts of the Hurricane were shipped over from St Petersburg in the1990's. It is currently under restoration at Brooklands Museum though the engine is so badly damaged it will not be part of the restoration.

Also another amazing fact is that a few of the Hurricanes from the Russian Murmansk crew that were dumped in the freezing lakes after the war were so well preserved that they were dragged out and painstakingly restored. I saw one fly at Shoreham Air Show in Sussex August 2011. It was magnificent.

Hello Alex
 
A relative of mine, who has extensively researched our family tree, has just sent me a link to your web page regarding Jack Ross. Jack was my grandfathers cousin. I'm afraid I cannot add anything to his story, but am so pleased to have read about him on your website. Thank you for your detailed research, I feel very proud to be related to such a courageous man.
 
Sarah Tillier (nee Ross)

Fancy a funny read: Ena Wilf  & The One-Armed Machinist

A brilliant slice of 1940's life: Spies & Spitfires

Alex's stories are now available to keep. Click on the picture for more information.

 Skylark Country

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