THE naming of a new military post office in Townsville, Queensland, has provided a Healesville man with a special insight into the role his great uncle played in World War I.
Karl Ostberg was recently presented with a plaque commemorating his great-uncle, Captain Arthur William Ross, by Major Rupert Dalley of the Australian Army’s 39th Personnel Support Battalion.
The army had sought Mr Ostberg’s permission to name the new post office after Captain Ross in recognition of his vital role in setting up the military postal system in Egypt, Gallipoli and on the Western Front.
Mr Ross was born on French Island and died in 1967 in Prahran.
He served in the Boer War and enlisted again in 1914 as part of the Gallipoli campaign.
On arrival in the Middle East he was put in charge of the 1st Div. Train Field Post Office. When the Australian Base Post Office was opened he was put in charge and posted as the senior Postal NCO.
As part of establishing postal services under what must have been enormously challenging circumstances, he was sent to Europe to assist with the establishment of the postal services in France.
From sergeant in August 1914 he rose to the rank of lieutenant in 1915.
The Captain Arthur William Ross Building was officially opened on 7 April 2009.
