Arthur Henry Cross

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Arthur Henry Cross

Born	13 December 1884 Shipdham, Norfolk
Died	23 November 1965 Lambeth, London
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Lance-Corporal
Unit	The London Regiment Machine Gun Corps
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Medal

Arthur Henry Cross, VC MC (13 December 1884 – 23 November 1965) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

He was born in Shipdham, Norfolk, one of five children. He moved to London when aged 15. He was married at 17 and a father by 19.

Military career

Cross enlisted in the 21st Battalion (First Surrey Rifles), The London Regiment on 30 May 1916. In 1917, he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. 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.

The Victoria Cross was given for "extreme gallantry, initiative and dash". In June he was awarded the Military Medal for another act of bravery.

Legacy

Cross received an engraved gold watch upon visiting his old village, and in later times a road there was named after him. His medal was used as a prop in the film Carrington V.C. starring David Niven.^[1]

References

↑ Victoria Cross.com

Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

External links

Location of grave and VC medal (S. London)

Authority control	VIAF: 161346755

Persondata
Name	Cross, Arthur Henry
Alternative names
Short description	Recipient of the Victoria Cross
Date of birth	13 December 1884
Place of birth	Shipdham, Norfolk
Date of death	23 November 1965
Place of death	Lambeth, London

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