Personal info

  • Name: Arthur Henry CROSS
  • D.O.B: 13th Dec, 1884
  • D.O.A: 25th Mar, 1918
  • D.O.D: 23rd Nov, 1965
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Acting Lance Corporal, 121st Company, 40th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, 40th Division
  • Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Ervillers, France 22-25 March 1918

22-25 March 1918

More details about:
The First World War 1918 

As the Germans continued to push the British westwards, 40th Division, to which 40th Battalion Machine Gun Corps was attached, was in the line around Ervillers, south of St-Léger and north of Bapaume. On 24 March two of the four machine-guns in Acting Lance Corporal A H Cross’s section were captured. Cross recaptured them single-handedly on 25 March.

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery and initiative. L./Cpl. Cross volunteered to make a reconnaissance of the position of two machine guns which had been captured by the enemy. He advanced single-handed to the enemy trench and with his revolver forced seven of the enemy to surrender and carry the machine guns with their tripods and ammunition to our lines. He then handed over his prisoners, collected teams for his guns which he brought into action with exceptional dash and skill, annihilating a very heavy attack by the enemy. It is impossible to speak too highly of the extreme gallantry, initiative and dash displayed by this N.C.O., who showed throughout four days of operations supreme devotion to duty. 

Twelfth Supplement to The London Gazette of 31 May 1918. 4 June 1918, Numb. 30726, p. 6572

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