The 1891 indicates Hamburg, Germany as his PoB ..
RG12/384 Folio 72 Page 13 - Rotherhithe ..
9, Hickling Street
Philip Ross [SIC] 59 Head Engine Driver Hamburg, Germany
Ann Ross 52 Wife Ashbourne Derbyshire
Ann Bates 23 Dau MARRIED Book Folder Rotherhithe
Henry Walter Bates 25 SON-IN-LAW Porter Bethnal Green