He was in Malaya as a member of the 2/15 Field Regiment of the AIF during the Battle of Singapore which commenced on February 8, 1942. Eleven days later he was reported missing, presumed dead.

Ross was born at Walcha in 1911 and was employed at McRae Bros. store before enlisting on July 2, 1940.

After 12 months training at Holsworthy, his unit was part of a convoy that sailed off to war from Sydney's Darling Harbour.

Ross wrote several letters while at sea and on his arrival in Malaya in which he said:

"After clearing the heads we sighted the rest of our convoy standing well out to sea and accompanied by a naval escort. It was just about dusk when we were given our third reminder that all ships were to be blacked out with all portholes closed.

"Smoking on deck was prohibited.

"Our convoy was joined by more troopships from Melbourne as we passed through Bass Strait and a few days later our protection arrived in the form of aircraft that patrolled the sea from horizon to horizon."

His final letter was written after he went into camp in a rubber plantation not far from Singapore:

"By day it is almost impossible to hear each other talk with the noise of hundreds of aircraft passing very low overhead.

"They are of all types and sizes ranging from little machines to big bombers some of which swoop down to 50 feet above ground and frighten the living daylights out of us. Just as well they are on our side. After dark we are entertained by searchlights probing the night sky.

"A few of us are off to Singapore tomorrow for a day's leave and I will do a bit of exploring. I will probably get lost and have to be picked up by the Military Police and shown the way home."

This is the last of Bob Walsh's History Matters columns. To read past columns, visit www.walchanews.com.au