Lieutenant
“Ross Dickenson Briscoe is another name on the cenotaph with no obvious connection to Strathroy. He spent most of his life living elsewhere. He was born in Dunvile, Ontario on June 20, 1891, and his parents lived in Galt Ontario. He was a bank clerk there. He was commissioned at Valcartier Quebec on September 14, 1914, part of the original wave of Canadians to go overseas. He was accidentally shot on the ranges at Sling Plantation Camp in Wiltshire, England on the 6th of January, 1915. His grave is in the Bulford Church Cemetery in Wiltshire.”
[Source: Strathroy Museum]
According to the newspaper article below, Ross Dickinson Briscoe had a connection to Strathroy, as he was employed at the Bank of Commerce here. It seems that most of his experiences growing up in Canada were in the Galt area.
Ross Briscoe was 23 when he was killed. Ross was in the 1st Division, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 9th Canadian Infantry Battalion. This battalion was part of the Tidworth Camp on the Salisbury Plain.
Also on this plateau, near Bulford in Wiltshire was constructed a military training camp primarily intended for soldiers from New Zealand. (When Great Britain declared war, its colonies were drawn into the war as well. Thus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, African countries, etc. sent troops.)
It is likely that Lieutenant Briscoe was away from his ‘home camp’, and was visiting a New Zealanders’ Camp nearby for training purposes. The New Zealanders’ camp was originally called the “Sling Plantation Camp“, but with the presence of New Zealanders it became known as an Anzac Camp. As an officer, Lieutenant Briscoe would be a likely candidate for additional training opportunities.
Learning the skills of a war combatant / officer was dangerous, and sometimes accidents happen. Such was the case with Ross Briscoe. He was killed in a shooting training exercise, at a New Zealanders’ Camp, while likely just visiting. He is buried in the Burford Church Cemetery along with several New Zealanders.
