[BIOGRAPHY]
William Cross was born in Beverley, Yorkshire in 1883 and prior to Army enlistment into the East Yorks at Beverley on 11th February 1901 had been a labourer. He was 5ft 4” tall, of fresh complexion with light brown eyes & dark brown hair and of Church of England persuasion.
He served in India & South Africa with East Yorks until 26th November 1906 at which time he was transferred to the army reserve for 7 years & 251 days when upon declaration of the Great War he was immediately mobilised on 4th/5th August 1914 into 2nd Bn York & Lancs Regt.
A month later after refresher training he left for France on 8th September 1914 with an arrival on 10th. He was wounded by a gunshot to his left leg on 6th January 1917 and shipped back to England. He was then re-posted to 3rd reserve Battalion Yorks & Lancs on the 14th July 1917 with a return to France via Folkestone & Boulogne on 28th July 1917. He then posted to his original 2nd Bn Yorks & Lancs on 29th July 1917 and rejoined it in the field on 23rd August 1917. He was promoted to Sgt on 18th November 1917 and was sadly Killed in Action on 21st March 1918.
Williams elder brother, 6585, Pte Stephen Cross of 1/East Yorks Regt was Killed in Action on 9th August 1915 at Hooge.
The two brothers had four siblings all of whom were the children of Daniel & Jane Cross of 6 Wharfe Terrace, Beverley.
With Full & rarely surviving attestation & other papers. Also a picture of the family grave stone which commemorates William & his brother Stephen .
[THE MEDALS]
Q.S.A.
To: 3193.Pte W. CROSS.
E. YORK. REGt,
(Officially Impressed)
(Clasps)
CAPE COLONY
SOUTH AFRICA 1902
1914 Star.
7484. Pte W. CROSS 2/LANC: & YORK: R.
Pair.
7484. Pte W. CROSS Y & L. R.
The body of WILLIAM CROSS was lost without trace and has no known grave. He is commemorated with eternal honour on ARRAS MEMORIAL, FRANCE AN EXCELLENT & CLASSIC “OLD CONTEMPTIBLE” BOER WAR & GREAT WAR CASUALTY GROUP IN “CHOICE” MINT CONDITION
Fit for the finest collection of casualty or Yorks regiment awards
£795