680912 GNR. R. CROSS.  R.F.A.

 

Robert Cross was born in Preston in the second quarter of 1892.  His father was Henry Cross (b. 1862 in Preston), a drayman.  His mother was Mary Ann Higginson (b. 1866 in Preston).  Henry and Mary Ann were married in 1889 and they had three children: Robert, Henry (b. 1894) and Gertrude (b. 1896).  Between 1901 and 1991 the family moved from Preston to Ribchester and in 1911 they were living at Pinfold, Ribchester.  Robert was a cotton weaver.

 

Robert may have been in the Territorials before the War.  When he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery he was assigned service number 2608 and posted to “B” Battery of 286 Brigade.  His service number was later changed to 680912.

 

In March 1918, the Brigade was in training at Haverskerque and on 3 March they moved to Nédonchel where they worked on calibrating their guns and engaged in further training.  On 10 March they returned to action at Sailly-sur-la-Lys and on 22 March they moved to Fleurbaix.  On 26 March, “C” and “B” Batteries were hit by high velocity and gas shelling and several men were wounded.  Robert Cross was wounded around this time and evacuated to Namps-au-Val where he died on 27 March.  He was 25 years old.

 

Rank:  Gunner

Service No:  680912

Date of Death:  27/03/1918

Age:  25

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty, 286th Bde.

Cemetery/memorial reference: I. A. 7.

Cemetery/Memorial:  NAMPS-AU-VAL BRITISH CEMETERY

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