Ross Tollerton
Ross Tollerton VC born in Hurlford, Ayrshire, was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
VC action
He was 24 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The [Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders], British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.Later life
After his career in the army he took up a position as school janitor in Irvine, Ayrshire. He married later in life to Agnus née Muir and due to this they had no children during their marriage, although Agnus had one son, Robert, from a previous relationship.Tollerton never recovered from his injuries and died at age 41 from stomach cancer in 1931. Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson sent a wreath. His widow died in 1939 at the age of 78 in which his Victoria Cross was passed over to his brother, Alexander Tollerton. It was Alexander's widow who eventually gave it to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Museum in 1956 on long-term loan and it remains there to this day.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Highlander's Museum, Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.
His act of bravery is also depicted in a painting by Allen Stewart.