Template:Short description {{#invoke:Other people|otherPeople}} Template:More citations needed Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person Lance Corporal Arthur Henry Cross Template:Postnominals (13 December 1884 – 23 November 1965) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early lifeEdit
Cross was born in Shipdham, Norfolk, one of five children. He moved to London when aged 15. He was married and became a father at the age of 18.<ref>"England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7NY-C1M : 5 February 2023), Henry Arthur Cross, 1885.</ref><ref>"England and Wales, Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26Q3-SG3 : 13 December 2014), Henry Arthur Cross, 1903; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1903, quarter 2, vol. 1D, p. 189, Southwark, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.</ref>Template:Citation needed
Military careerEdit
Cross enlisted in the 21st Battalion First Surrey Rifles, The London Regiment on 30 May 1916.Template:Sfn In 1917, he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.Template:Citation needed He was 33 years old, and a lance corporal in the 40th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 25 March 1918 at Ervillers, France, Lance-Corporal Cross volunteered to make a reconnaissance of the position of two machine-guns which had been captured by the enemy. With the agreement of his sergeant he crept back alone with only a service revolver to what had been his section's trench and was now the enemy's. He surprised seven soldiers who responded by throwing down their rifles. He then marched them carrying the machine guns complete with the tripods and ammunition to the British lines. He then handed over the prisoners and collected teams for his guns which he brought into action immediately, annihilating a very heavy attack by the enemy.<ref name=":0">Template:London Gazette</ref>
The Victoria Cross was given for "extreme gallantry, initiative and dash"<ref name=":0" />.In June he was awarded the Military Medal for another act of bravery.Template:Citation needed
LegacyEdit
Cross received an engraved gold watch upon visiting his old village, and later a road there was named after him.
Arthur Cross offered the use of his Victoria Cross as a prop in the film Carrington V.C. starring David Niven.<ref>Victoria Cross.com</ref>
Five of Arthur Cross's medals (including the VC and Military Medal were sold for £185,000 by Spink's of London on the 19 April 2012.<ref>https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbcross2.htm</ref>
He was buried in the family grave at Streatham Vale Cemetery, Plot E, Square 27, Grave 885, joining his second wife along with their two children.Template:Sfn
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Template:Cite book