RALPH LESLIE CROSS
Born: 1896, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.
Died: 5th April 1918; age 21; Died of Wounds – in the afternoon at West London Hospital. Gun shot wound to the left leg & cardiac failure following nephritis – relatives not present. Served 3 years & 215 days.
Residence: Bon Marche, Brixton Road, London.
Enlistment Location; Camberwell; Date: 3rd September 1914; Age: 18 years & 11 days; Religion: CofE. Signed up for the duration of the war. Height: 5ft 6ins.
Service: Home – 3rd September 1914 – 23rd June 1916 – embarked Southampton – 24th June 1916 – disembarked Havre – 25th June 1916 – embarked Marseilles 30th November 1916 – disembarked Salonika 29th November 1916 – embarked Salonika 18th June 1917 – disembarked Alexandria – 22nd June 1917 – embarked Alexandria – invalid return to England – H.S.’Kalyan’. Camberwell 1st February 1918
– admitted to West London Hospital.
Wounded: Left hand abrasion – 11th August 1916 – in the field – cutting wood for a fire to cook animal – no one to blame. Wounded in the field – 31st October 1917.
Gun shot wound to the thigh – in the field – 14th December 1917.
Offence: Being in bed at 6.40am – late on parade – improper reply to N.C.O. & unshaven on parade – 7 days C.B.
Rank: Rifleman/Lance Corporal; Service Number: 65096
Regiment: London Regiment, (First Surrey Rifles), 21st Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Musketry Class 1, Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Grave Reference:
BA.1A.30.
Ipswich,
Suffolk.
Brother to AUBREY EDWARD CROSS.
CENSUS
1901 High Street, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.
Ralph was 4 years old and living with his parents, brothers & paternal grandfather.
Arthur William Cross, 43, a Grocer – own account, born Upwell, Cambridgeshire.
Lizzie Cross (nee Smith), 43, born Halstead, Essex.
Frank Goode Cross, 13, born Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.
Frederic William Cross, 9, born Cottenham.
Herbert John Cross, 9, born Cottenham.
William Cross, 73, an Agent for Fire & Life Assurance – own account, born Cottenham.
1 general domestic servant.
1911 3, Regent Terrace, Sea Road, Felixstowe.
Ralph was 14 years old and living with his parents & brothers.
Arthur, 55, an Apartments & Boarding Housekeeper – own account.
Lizzie, 54, an Apartments & Boarding Housekeeper – own account.
Frank, 23, a Carpenter.
Frederic, 19, an Electrical Engineer.
Herbert, 17, a Furniture Worker.
1 general domestic servant.
3 visitors.
At her home of 6, Cliff Terrace, St. John’s, Ipswich, on the 28th August 1918 Mrs Lizzie Cross received her late son’s personal effects:
Sketch Book, Photos & Dictionary.
Lizzie Cross received her late son’s Victory & British War medals on the 29th May 1922.
London Regiment, (First Surrey Rifles), 21st Battalion:
Leave a Reply