Australia's oldest man and last WW1 soldier dies

Australia's oldest man and last remaining World War I soldier Jack Ross has died, aged 110.

Mr Ross died peacefully in his sleep at the Golden Oaks Nursing Home in the central Victorian city of Bendigo about 4am this morning.

As an 18-year-old Mr Ross enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in January, 1918 and trained at the wireless training school before he was posted to the 1st Battalion at Broadmeadows camp in Victoria.

But the war ended before he could be posted overseas and he was demobilised on Christmas Eve.

He served Australia again in World War II as a member of the volunteer defence corps.

Mr Ross was awarded the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance medal in 1998 to commemorate the end of WWI.

He also received the Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian society in the 100 years since federation.

In civilian life Mr Ross worked for the Victorian railways for more than 45 years before retiring in 1964.

He is survived by his daughter Peggy, son Robert, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

This article is from The New Zealand Herald