THOMAS CROSS 

The “Roll of Honour” records 4 lads with the surname Cross. A. E. (Albert E.) Cross; (cheshirebmd records a Albert E. born 1890 W/ham.) G. W. (George W.) Cross; (cheshirebmd records a George W. Cross born 1893 W/ham.) T. (Tom E.) Cross; “Fallen” (Cheshirebmd records a Tom Cross born in 1889 and a Tom Edward Cross born in 1896 W/ham.) (Above lads are believed to be brothers.) G. (George) Cross; (cheshirebmd records a George Cross born 1895 W/ham.)

The brothers Cross. Census 1911, a Cross family are living on Church St.; Thomas Head (56) Delivers, quarry stone gravel born Pocklington; Hannah Wife (50) born W/ham; Leonard Antrobus Son (25) Wood sawyer building contractor born W/ham; Frederick Son (22) Gardner Domestic born W/ham; Albert Son (20) Cowman born W/ham;George Son (17) Glue Packer born W/ham; Tom S (14) Glue Moulder born W/ham; (T.E. Cross born 1896.) Ivan S (13) born W/ham; Kate D (12) born W/ham; Ada D (11) born W/ham.

Thomas’s service records are available to view and these records include the family details and with that records the names George W. and Albert E. Thomas Cross, father’s name, came up in the Weaverham search, he lived at 12 Moss Street W/ham, the service sheet relates to Thomas Cross son and his attestation and service papers are available to view. Thomas was attested in Aug. 1914, at Northwich. He was 19yrs 4m, he was 5ft 9in tall; weight 133lbs and girth 34ins. Complexion, fresh; eyes and hair brown, his “Calling” was a labourer, and he was single. His service “Reckons” from 31st Aug. 1914. Posted private on the 15th Sept. 1914, with the 10th Cheshires, Reg’t. No 13919, joining the Exp. Force to France 26th Sept. 1915. Appointed (Unpd) L/Cpl. 6th June 1916. K.I.A. 10th July 1916. Thomas’s travel log records the following; Home 13/8/14 - 26/9/15. 1yr 26 days; Exp. 26/9/15 - 10/7/16. 288 days; 1yr 314 days.

N.A.M.C. - have a medal card for Thomas, (The medal card looks like T. Cross with “homas” added.) Cheshire Reg’t. No 13919, Pte. Awarded the three medals, British, Victory and 15 Star. Theatre of War, France and Date of Entry, 26th Sept. 1915.

Northwich Guardian, 1916, 28th July (P5/C1); LANCE-CORPORAL T. E. CROSS

In the recent casualty list there appear the names of several Weaverham soldiers. Amongst the men reported killed is Lance-Corporal T. E. Cross of the Cheshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cross of 12 Moss Street Weaverham and the sad news was conveyed to his parents in two letters from his comrades. A friend of the deceased, who is in the same regiment, writing to Mrs Cross states:- “I am very sorry to have to write this letter to you but perhaps you will have heard the sad news of Tom before you get it. You will have seen by the papers what a lot of fighting is going on out here at present and a large number of brave fellows have lost their lives. I did not know until yesterday that Tom had been hit. He died instantly, so he did not suffer. I know it will be great blow to you all but I hope God will comfort you and give you strength to hear the trouble he has seen fit to give you. I was not near Tom when it happened, so cannot tell you where he is buried but as we are out of the trenches now I will get to know all I can for you.”

In a letter to Miss Cross, the deceased’s sister, Corporal W. Speed writes:- “As Corporal in charge of your esteemed brothers platoon, it is my painful duty to inform you he was killed in action on July 10th. He was a very good soldier and always devoted to duty. At the time of his death he was in charge of a sentry post. I wish to express the deepest sympathy on behalf of his platoon and myself in your bereavement. We were very deeply grieved when we heard he had been killed, as he was greatly liked by all.” Lance-Corporal Cross who lived in Whittle Street Sale, was in his 20th year. He joined the forces in September, 1914 and went out to France twelve months later. Prior to his enlistment he was an employee of the Weaver Refining Company. He was a scholar of the Weaverham Church Sunday School and a former member of the boy scouts. A brother of the deceased, Gunner G. Cross is on active service with the Royal Field Artillery.

 

C.W.G.C. - Lance Corporal, Cross Thomas, Service No 13919 died 10th July 1916, age 20, is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, France. Thomas was with the 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Hannah Cross of 12 Moss St. Weaverham, Northwich, Cheshire.

Researched Bob Heaton