Lieutenant Colonel Tony Ross, who was court-martialled and found guilty for lapses following the disappearance of the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols in February 2006, died early yesterday morning after he collapsed at his Camp Ayanganna residence.
Tony Ross
A release from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday said that the man fell ill and was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Earlier this year Ross lost one year’s seniority for failing to ensure that keys to the keys cabinet were booked in at Defence Headquarters’ Operations Room and to manage an effective booking in/out system for the keys ledger.
This decision was handed down at the court-martial of Ross who was in charge of the army’s arms store at the time of the theft of the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols in February 2006.
The army release said that the 49-year-old officer served the GDF with “distinction” and that he had enlisted as a cadet officer on September 01, 1982 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on February 15, 1984. He was elevated to his current rank in February of this year. The release said that the officer completed several courses locally and overseas and held several appointments with the force during his career. He was married to Ruth Ross with whom he had four children.
Stabroek News understands that Ross was expected to take up a new position at a government ministry come January and it would have most likely been the Ministry of Public Works because he is a civil engineer by profession.
At the time he was found guilty the man’s lawyer, Leslie Sobers had told Stabroek News that his client’s court-martial had nothing to do with the disappearance of the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols from the army’s storage bond, but did acknowledge that it was the theft of the weapons which triggered it.
He was found guilty by a military court on two of four charges relating to conduct and negligence of duty.
The first charge against Ross alleged that on or about February 13, 2006, without proper authority, he instructed Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Gordon to establish an arms store for personnel of the Ordnance Corps, an instruction, which he knew, or was reasonably expected to know, he had no authority to issue. He was found not guilty on this charge. The second charge alleged that he gave instructions to have weapon numbers assigned to soldiers of the Ordnance Corps for the purpose of issuing the weapons to the soldiers, and Ross was also found not guilty on this charge.
However he was found guilty on the charges of failure to ensure that the keys to the keys cabinet were booked in at Defence Headquarters’ Operations Room, a duty that he knew or was reasonably expected to know, and during the period March 2005 to February 2006, failure to manage an effective booking in/out system for the keys ledger.
The GDF had terminated an earlier court-martial of Ross following President Bharrat Jagdeo’s appointment of several officers to top posts of the military last year. Ross was in charge of the army’s arms store when the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols were smuggled out some time in February 2006. Ross was the commander of the Ordnance Corps, a unit responsible for the storage and distribution of weapons in the army. He was the first senior officer to be court-martialled following the disappearance of the weapons, which had sparked widespread public concern.
too much stress in guyana; still very sad occasion.
The Guyana Defense Force is in a position where it will soon see itself going downhill with no brakes….the organisation is now crass and anything will happen, just watch and see. Now more than ever they need God in that place before the devil consumes the entire establishment…..My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Ross’ family!!
So true SandHurst First. The mediocrity in the GDF is astounding. The military died in 1981-82 and was embalmed when the turned them loose under guise of protecting the people from themselves aka ethnic cleansing.
Meanwhile the borders they were formed to protect is porus with an astounding drug flow. At the same time Venezuela and suriname have whet their whistles in greed at our natural resources.
Let us call it “Martial LAW” for that is what it is.
Yes Guyanese, you live under Martial Law just like I do here in JA and others do in the USA.
Keep speaking “Truth to Powa”
“Keep it “LIT”
It will be interesting to know the cause of death of Lt Col Tony Ross of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF)!!!
Sincere condolences to his family.
If you hear how and why he died, would you be surprised, angry, sad or confused??
This is the story Stabroek News! Why utilise valuable space rehashing old news?
Lieutenant Colonel Tony Ross, who was court-martialled and found guilty for lapses following the disappearance of the 30 AK-47 rifles and five pistols in February 2006, died early yesterday morning after he collapsed at his Camp Ayanganna residence.
A release from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday said that the man fell ill and was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
My condolence to the family and the band of brothers.
A PM should be done by an independent doctor to quell all allegations/rumours that will develop later.
Eh, eh, 2 GDF officers ded de dsame day. Ah, death the ultimate equalizer.
Thanks for your service and condolences to your family.
RIP
“Keep it “LIT”
I served under both then Captain Ross and Narine. Good soldiers. Sad news to read. Condolences to both families.
Ruth, this is your college mate. On behalf of all the rest of us (CPCE 80-82), especially Ronald Hollingsworth, Wilbert Bobb, Hazel Pyle, Cordel Baird, Hazel Ainswick, Randolph Franklin and Wayne Anthony, sincere condolences. We know that you are a strong person and with our prayers and God’s help, you will be ok. God bless you.
Ruth, my condolence to you and your family. Be strong. Bibi
My condolences goes out to his family, you served your country well may you rest in peace.
my condolences goes out to his family