Life story: Charles Cross | Lives of the First World War

Timeline

1885

sibling Alfred William Cross Source:9061609 1885

1888

sibling Nellie Cross Source:9061609 1888

1890

sibling Rose Emma Cross Source:9061609 1890

1891

sibling Edith Cross Source:9061609 1891

1895

sibling George Henry Cross Source:9061609 1895

1896

birth Havant, Hants, England. United Kingdom Source:9061687 17th August 1896

1896

location 11 Clarendon Road, Brockhampton Lane, Havant. United Kingdom parents address Source:9068264 17th August 1896 - 24th August 1921

1900

sibling Emily May Cross Source:9061609 1900

1901

sibling Alice Millie Cross Source:9203803 1901

1904

sibling Louisa Gertrude Cross Source:9203803 1904

1915

enlistment Portsmouth, Hampshire United Kingdom Source:9061687 17th September 1915

1915

service British Army Private 20249 Territorial Force, Mid Hants Regiment. 3rd Portsmouth Battalion Source:9063194 17th September 1915 - 15th October 1916

1916

service British Army Private 20249 Expeditionary Force, Group 5 3rd Portsmouth Battalion Source:9063194 9th October 1916 - 15th October 1916

1916

theatres France & Belgium: 1a Source:9064322 9th October 1916 - 11th November 1918

1916

service British Army Private 203751 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. 2/4th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion. Source:9063358 15th October 1916 - 17th February 1919

1916

location Army Billets, Neuvillette, Reims. France military residence address Source:9079638 6th November 1916 - 16th November 1916

1916

location Martinsart Wood Camp, North of Albert. France military residence address Source:9088825 21st November 1916 - 24th December 1916

1917

location Maison Ponthieu Army Billets. France military residence address Source:9149181 19th January 1917 - 4th February 1917

1917

location Goldfish Chateau Camp, Flanders. Belgium military residence address Source:9144366 18th August 1917 - September 1917

1918

location Domart Rest Camp. Somme Department. France military residence address Source:9156187 17th November 1918 - 17th January 1919

1919

location 11 Clarendon Road, Brockhampton Lane, Havant, Hants. United Kingdom parents address Source:9156244 17th January 1919 - 18th January 1937

1919

service British Army Private 27286 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 2/9th Battalion Source:9157047 17th February 1919 - 5th October 1919

service British Army Private 20294 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Source:1031169

service British Army Private 203751 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Source:1031169

Details

Names

Type	Name
First Names	Charles
Initials	C
Last Name	Cross
Source	1031169

Gender

Gender	Source
Male

Locations

Address	Country	Type	Date
11 Clarendon Road, Brockhampton Lane, Havant, Hants.	United Kingdom	parents address	17th January 1919 - 18th January 1937
11 Clarendon Road, Brockhampton Lane, Havant.	United Kingdom	parents address	17th August 1896 - 24th August 1921
Army Billets, Neuvillette, Reims.	France	military residence address	6th November 1916 - 16th November 1916
Domart Rest Camp. Somme Department.	France	military residence address	17th November 1918 - 17th January 1919
Goldfish Chateau Camp, Flanders.	Belgium	military residence address	18th August 1917 - September 1917
Maison Ponthieu Army Billets.	France	military residence address	19th January 1917 - 4th February 1917
Martinsart Wood Camp, North of Albert.	France	military residence address	21st November 1916 - 24th December 1916

Contribution

Military Service

Service	Number	Unit	Section	Rank
British Army	20294	Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry		Private
British Army	203751	Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry		Private
British Army	20249	Territorial Force, Mid Hants Regiment.	3rd Portsmouth Battalion	Private
British Army	20249	Expeditionary Force, Group 5	3rd Portsmouth Battalion	Private
British Army	27286	Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry	2/9th Battalion	Private
British Army	203751	Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.	2/4th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion.	Private

Awards

Award	Type	Source
British War Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal
Victory Medal	First World War Campaign/Service Medal

Family

Parents

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Ellen Cross	mother
William Cross	father

Siblings

Name	Relationship	Dates
Alfred William Cross	brother	1885
Nellie Cross	sister	1888
George Henry Cross	brother	1895
Rose Emma Cross	sister	1890
Edith Cross	sister	1891
Emily May Cross	sister	1900
Alice Millie Cross	sister	1901
Louisa Gertrude Cross	sister	1904

Media

Charles Samuel Cross. Centre in uniform.

Cropped part of photo taken in January 1919 outside the Six Bells public house in Havant. His uncle Charles Cooper is standing next to him also in uniform.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
1901 Census Return of Cross family.

Copy of the 1901 census return of William and Ellen Cross and their children living at 11 Clarendon Road, Brockhampton, Havant.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Attestation document from Service Record.

Copy of Charles Samuel Cross's signed personal details on attestation document on enlisting into the 3rd Portsmouth Battalion of the Territoral Force on the 17th of September 1915. It shows his age as 19 years and 1 month making his date of birth August 1896.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
3 pages of Service Record. Plus text.

Details stated in typed text of facts on the three pages of Charles Cross's Service Record showing his status from enlistment on 17.9.15 to his posting in France in 1916. They give his name, age, address, Regt. Number 20249, Regt. Mid Hants, Unit 3rd Portsmouth Battalion on enlistment, Also the date of posting to France as Expeditionary Force to group 5 on 9.10.16 and Posting to new regt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, unit 2/4 on 15.10.16.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Cover page- Charles Samuel Cross's Service Record.

His full name, Charles Samuel Cross. Three Regimental numbers.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Statement of Services from Service Record.

Hand written record of posting to France on 9.10.16 in Expeditionary Force, Group 5, with subsequent posting to the Oxford and Bucks 2/4 Battalion on 15.10.16.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Extracts from 4 pages of Service Record. Plus text

Details of posting to new Regiment and Regiment Number - 2/4th res battalion, Oxford and Buckingham Light Infantry, Number 203751 and dated 15.10.16. Dispersal date from this Battalion 18.1.19. and the transfer date 28 days later after furlough on the 17.2.19. Commencement of service to new regiment after transfer on 17.2.19 with new regiment number 27286.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Hampsire Regiment Cap Badge

The cap badge worn by all Hampshire Regiment Battalions in WW1 including Charles Samuel Cross's 3rd Portsmouth Battalion.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Cap Badge of the Oxford and Bucks Regiment. WW1.

Charles Cross served in the 2/4th Oxford and Bucks Battalion from 15.10.16 and would have worn their uniform and this cap badge.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Certificate of the disposal of Decorations.

Certificate from Service Record shows that 203751 Charles Cross of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Regiment was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Regt. Cap Badge.

Charles Cross wore the uniform and this cap badge while serving in the 2/4th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion from 15.10/16.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Charles S Cross outside The Six Bells, Havant.

Charles Cross in uniform standing in front row fourth from the right. This would have been taken on the 19th January 1919 the day after he signed his dispersal certificate and while he was on furlough waiting to be transferred to the 2/9th Oxford and Bucks L. I. Battalion on the 17th February 1919. The soldier on his left is his uncle Charles Cooper.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Brockhampton Lane from West Street, Havant.c-1950.

Image shows Brockhampton Lane as it goes down past School Road first left then Clarendon Road second left with shop on the corner. Charles Cross lived at his parents home number 11 Clarendon Road.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Charles Cross. Voluntary Enlistment Decision. 1915

Compilation of reasons that influenced Charles Cross at the age of 19 to voluntarily enlist in the local Territorial Force for training to make him ready to go and serve his country at war in France when called on.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Proof of correct address for Charles Cross. 1921.

Certificate of Disposal of Decoration Page from Service Record showing, although very feint, that his address was still 11 Clarendon Road and not 11 Brockhampton Lane as hand written on many of his records. The document was not in existence before the 10th September 1920, typed on document, and was filled in by hand showing regiment number, name, address and dated 24th August 1921. It was stamped with regiment name Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Charles S. Cross and Charles Cooper's Family Tree.

Family tree showing Nephew Charles Samuel Cross and Uncle Charles Cooper in uniform with their family connection back to Samuel Taylor.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Charles Cross's posting to France. October 1916

The image shows the history of the British Expeditionary Force, where it's 5th division was when Charles joined it and the book from which the story's were taken of his time in the 2/4th Ox Bucks L.I. Battalion that he served in while at war in Northern France.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
March from Laventie Sector to Martinsart Sector.

Extract from the eBook "The 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Battalion" by G. K. Rose.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Neuvillette house, Champagne at war.

A postcard saying The war at Champagne 1914 - 1916 at Neuvillette.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The Somme. December 1916.

A sketched map of the trenches held by Charles Cross's Battalion during their time on the Somme in 1916. Text from G. K. Rose's story of the Battalion of it's activities during December 1916.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Text from G.K.Rose's story Re Martinsart Camp.

The text shows that the Battalion used the camp at Martinswood on and off for a month in late 1916.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Trench Warfare

Sketches and text from G K Rose's book telling the experience of troops in the trenches while in battle.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
G K Rose describing their first Tour on the Somme.

The text describes the events and conditions that Charles Cross faced on his first "tour" in the trenches of the Somme battle field in the Martinsart sector with the 2/4th Ox and Bucks LI Battalion.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The Somme. December 1916.

A sketched map of the trenches held by Charles Cross's Battalion during this time on the Somme in 1916. Text from Captain G K Rose's book about the 2/4th Ox and Bucks LI Battalion of it's activities during December 1916.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Three Photos of Charles Cross in Uniform.

Three photos of Charles in the uniform of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry taken at different times of his service with them.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The Attack on Fayet.

Two sketches drawn by Captain G K Rose. The first shows the cutting where the Battalion rested after their extended Tour. The second shows the Battle field layout and the reference to where the Ox and Bucks were and where the German Jaegers were.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Martinsart Wood Camp.

Photo of Martinsart Wood hutted Rest Camp that was used by the 2/4th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion during part of their time on the Somme in 1916. Plus text from the story by Captain G K Rose that describes the conditions they faced during their 4 hour, 8 mile march back to the camp from the trenches on the night of the 30th November and morning of the 1st December 1916.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Photos from the battle of Arras 1917.

Two photos taken on day one and final day of Charles Cross's 2/4th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion's tour in the battle line at Monchy where they prepared shell holes and trenches for the subsequent attack on Infantry Hill. Charles might be the tall soldier in the centre with his head slightly bowed, facing the camera and carrying a can. The bottom photo is of a panoramic view that takes in part of the battle field in April before the Battalion arrived.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Goldfish Chatea. August to September 1917.

Extracts from the book by Captain K Rose of his time with the 2/4th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion. This was Charles Cross's Battalion and the extracts show his activities while serving with them during the battle of Passchendaele and based mainly at the Goldfish Chateau Camp.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Goldfish Chatea.

The army camp was based in the surrounding fields of the Chateau. It was mainly a collection of bivouacs and tents and was constantly under bombing raids and shell attacks. The conditions turned to waterlogged mud shell holes during the Battalion's time here.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The Battalion's time at Passchendael August 1917.

Sketches drawn by Captain G K Rose of the camp, track to the battle trenches and map of the battle field. Photo of the battle field.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Attack on Hill 35.

Image from the book by G K Rose describes the unsuccessful attack by the 2/4th Ox and Bucks L I Battallion on the machine gun turrets on Hill 35 during the third battle of Ypres.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Maison Ponthieu. 1917.

Sketch and text from the story by Captain G K Rose of the 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Battalion depicting their three weeks stay in Billets in the town of Maison Ponthieu from January the 19th to February the 4th 1917.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Late Autumn and early Winter 1917.

Three sketches drawn by Captain G K Rose. They have their details pencilled on each one and are signed by him.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The Battle at St Quentin. March 21st 1918.

Images and text from the G K Rose book of the 2/4th Ox and Bucks L I Battalions place in history from their sacrifices made during the battle at St Quentin Sector under the German onslaught. It does not state how many of the men were lost, only the Officers but there were many. It was easier to count the survivors than those that did not make it.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Robecq Area. Battle of Lys.

Two sketches drawn by Captain G K Rose showing a birds eye view of the battle area around Robecq and of the old mill and bridge used by the Battalion.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Images from the Lys Salient area late Summer 1918.

Images from Captain G K Rose's book showing the location of the 2/4th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion during the summer months of 1918 and of the battle ruined church at Merville.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The last battles under the XV11Corps.

Images and text showing Charles Cross's whereabouts while his 2/4th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion was under command of the XV11 Corps from mid October to Armistice Day the 11th of November 1918. The last map shows his location underlined in dark blue. It also shows the area that the XV11 Corps was operating in under the Third Army printed in red.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Domart between Armistice and Demobilisation.

Photos and text from the story of G K Rose about his time with the 2/4th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry Battalion during World War 1. They show a pictures taken at Domart of Charles Cross and text from the story of when he billeted there with the Battalion after Armistice and before He went back to England for demobilisation in January 1919.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Domart, Somme Department -1918 to 1919.

Two photos taken at Domart where Charles Cross billeted after Armistice until he returned to England for demobilisation.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
11 Clarendon Road.

Images of two pages from the service records of Charles Cross showing that he was probably still living at his family home after his return from The War until at least January 1937,

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Junction of Clarendon Road and Brockhampton Lane.

Clarendon Road is the second on the left off Brockhampton Lane, the through road shown in the photo. The large shop poster at its corner was Wisemans store.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
March from Laventie Sector to Grandcourt Sector.

Extract from the book "The 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Battalion" by Captain G K Rose.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Transfer to the 2/9th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion.

Image shows in records and text the involvement of Charles Cross in the 2/9th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion. The first shows his 7 day furlough on home soil where he was under the Command Depot of the reserve 2/9th Battalion while still being with the 2/4th on active duty in France. The second shows his transfer to the 2/9th from the 2/4th with his new Regiment No. 27286, the transfer date 17.2.19 and leaving date 5th October 1919. This hand written date is faded.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Territorial Force Hampshire Regiment Cap Badge.

Charles Cross was in the T. F. 3rd Portsmouth Battalion of the Mid Hants T.F. Regiment. They all wore the same Cap Badge.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
1911 Census Return.

The census shows the family members living at 11 Clarendon Road in April 1911 with Charles. His younger sisters Alice Millie and Louisa Gertrude were with him.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
Charles Cross at Ovillers in A or B Company

The image is a collection of extracts from the diary of G K Rose and the history of the 2/4th Ox and Bucks L. I. website. It confirms to me that the photo of the Infantry man is of Charles Cross on duty in the trenches with A and B Company around Ovillers just south of Grandcourt after being moved up to the battle sector.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538
The thoughts of Captain G K Rose.

From his diary a summation of the events concerning the 2/4th Ox and Bucks Light Infantry from the beginning of the German Offensive on the Somme during the days of March 21st to the 26th 1918 and his thoughts on its place in the Battalions history.

Contributed by:
Christopher13538

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Evidence

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Official Records

Title	Connected by	More information
Medal Index Card

External Evidence

Reference	Connected by	More information
The Story of the 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry by Rose.	Christopher13538

Multimedia

Title	Connected by	More information
Charles Samuel Cross. Centre in uniform.	Christopher13538
1901 Census Return of Cross family.	Christopher13538
Attestation document from Service Record.	Christopher13538
3 pages of Service Record. Plus text.	Christopher13538
Cover page- Charles Samuel Cross's Service Record.	Christopher13538
Statement of Services from Service Record.	Christopher13538
Extracts from 4 pages of Service Record. Plus text	Christopher13538
Hampsire Regiment Cap Badge	Christopher13538
Cap Badge of the Oxford and Bucks Regiment. WW1.	Christopher13538
Certificate of the disposal of Decorations.	Christopher13538
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Regt. Cap Badge.	Christopher13538
Charles S Cross outside The Six Bells, Havant.	Christopher13538
Brockhampton Lane from West Street, Havant.c-1950.	Christopher13538
Charles Cross. Voluntary Enlistment Decision. 1915	Christopher13538
Proof of correct address for Charles Cross. 1921.	Christopher13538
Charles S. Cross and Charles Cooper's Family Tree.	Christopher13538
Charles Cross's posting to France. October 1916	Christopher13538
March from Laventie Sector to Martinsart Sector.	Christopher13538
Neuvillette house, Champagne at war.	Christopher13538
The Somme. December 1916.	Christopher13538
Text from G.K.Rose's story Re Martinsart Camp.	Christopher13538
Trench Warfare	Christopher13538
G K Rose describing their first Tour on the Somme.	Christopher13538
The Somme. December 1916.	Christopher13538
Three Photos of Charles Cross in Uniform.	Christopher13538
The Attack on Fayet.	Christopher13538
Martinsart Wood Camp.	Christopher13538
Photos from the battle of Arras 1917.	Christopher13538
Goldfish Chatea. August to September 1917.	Christopher13538
Goldfish Chatea.	Christopher13538
The Battalion's time at Passchendael August 1917.	Christopher13538
Attack on Hill 35.	Christopher13538
Maison Ponthieu. 1917.	Christopher13538
Late Autumn and early Winter 1917.	Christopher13538
The Battle at St Quentin. March 21st 1918.	Christopher13538
Robecq Area. Battle of Lys.	Christopher13538
Images from the Lys Salient area late Summer 1918.	Christopher13538
The last battles under the XV11Corps.	Christopher13538
Domart between Armistice and Demobilisation.	Christopher13538
Domart, Somme Department -1918 to 1919.	Christopher13538
11 Clarendon Road.	Christopher13538
Junction of Clarendon Road and Brockhampton Lane.	Christopher13538
March from Laventie Sector to Grandcourt Sector.	Christopher13538
Transfer to the 2/9th Ox and Bucks L I Battalion.	Christopher13538
Territorial Force Hampshire Regiment Cap Badge.	Christopher13538
1911 Census Return.	Christopher13538
Charles Cross at Ovillers in A or B Company	Christopher13538
The thoughts of Captain G K Rose.	Christopher13538

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We remember Charles Cross

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We remember Charles Cross

We remember Charles Cross

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Timeline

Timeline

1885

1888

1890

1891

1895

1896

1896

1900

1901

1904

1915

1915

1916

1916

1916

1916

1916

1917

1917

1918

1919

1919

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We remember Charles Cross