Claude Murray Ross was born on 13 May 1893 in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia, son of Mrs. Murray Ross, of 21, Hotham Grove, Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Claude was a trained engineer, also a track and field athlete specialising in the hurdles. He was a member of the Malvern Harriers Athletic Club, Malvern, Australia. He competed as part of the Australasian team in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics.

In August 1914 he enlisted in the Australian Field Artillery leaving Australia in October 1914 and was at the landing and evacuation of Gallipoli. From there, he went to France and received a commission with 45 Squadron British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in January 1917.

Serving as a second lieutenant, Claude was flying a Sopwith Strutter A8298 on 19 August 1917 near Zandvoorde, Belgium, alongside his observer, second lieutenant J. O. Fowler. Their craft was seen to break up and crash, although the reasons were never known, killing both men. Ross’s remains were never recovered but he was honoured on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg d’Amiens British Cemetery.