Lot 3912

Description

Family Group: Father: Trio: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; Meritorious Service Medal (GVR Type 1). 3077 Sjt R.J.Cross. 28 Bn. A.I.F. on first two medals, 3077 Sjt: R.J.Cross 2/Aust:Pr Bn: on last medal. All medals impressed.; Son KIA: Group of Four: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The first two medals unnamed, WX3882 R.V.Cross on last two medals. Both named medals impressed. Very fine - extremely fine.

MSM: LG 17/6/1918, p7178, posn 77; CAG 7/11/1918, p2114.
Recommendation 4th March 1918, Immediate Award: On 9th October, 1917, Zonnebeke-Broodseinde Road was blocked by fallen timber and destroyed wagons. This NCO in charge of platoon cleared the road under continuous heavy fire enabling ammunition mules to go forward. Later he was detailed to post and man 6 Lewis Guns for A.A. protection of our batteries rear of Zonnebeke. For 10 days he moved around incessantly. His guns brought down one enemy plane officially recorded and appreciably checked the enterprise of enemy airmen.

Citation: In recognition of valuable services rendered with the forces in France.

Sergeant Cross was recommended for two other awards as follows.

MM: Recommendation jointly with Sgt S.J.McCullogh and Pte J.R.Splatt.
'On the night of 16th December 1916 a British Bombing Raid took place to which the enemy replied with heavy shell fire.

C Company were working in a communication sap to front line and were not informed of the raid. Hence they were out in it all. Sgt McCullagh & Pte Splatt were with their platoon under heavy fire and three of their comrades were buried by a shell exploding in their trench. Not knowing that they were dead, their officers decided to dig them out and the above mentioned men endeavoured to do so but failed, but showed great gallantry and gave a fine example to the platoon.

The previous evening a member of 28th Battalion was deserted by his comrades, and Pte Splatt stayed with him and he and Private Cross (under exceptionally heavy fire), dug the man out and Pte Splatt carried him through 800 yards of trench, which had two feet of water in the bottom. It was a fine example of courage and comradeship.'

Although none of the above three men were awarded the MM, Sgt McCullagh and Pte Splatt were both Mentioned in Despatches, Pte Cross was not.

MID: Recommendation 15 May 1917.
'In operations 3-7 May, accompanied his officer acting as messenger and assisting to lay out tracing tapes. Nearly all his work was under enemy observation and fire, and he conducted himself with marked courage and ability.'
Not awarded.

Raymond Joseph Cross, carrier, age 24, born at Fremantle, WA; Enl.31Aug1915 at Perth, WA; Emb.18Jan1916; RTA 19Jun1919; Disch.30Sep1919.

Raymond Victor Cross, born 29Dec1913 at Perth, WA; Enl.01Jun1940 at Perth, WA; served as Sapper with RAE, 2/2 Aust Field Park Co; KIA 17May1941; buried at Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece and commemorated at the Athens Memorial.

With research including WWI Service file.