No.2052, Private, Donald Stuart CROSS
|
Donald Stewart Cross was born on 4th May 1896 in Elveden (Mildenhall Q2-1896 4A:816) son of James Willie and Edith Maria CROSS (née FITT ).
In 1899 he was at Elveden Voluntary Aided Primary School. 1901 census...Aged 4 he was at Cross Roads, Elveden with his father James CROSS [34] bricklayer born Nottinghill.London; his mother Edith [33] born Shipdham, Norfolk; sister Violet [10] and brothers Irvine [8] and Alexander [6], born in Shipdham; sisters Gladys [3], Ina [1] and Ada 10 months born in Elveden. 1911 census...Aged 14, boy on farm, he was still at Cross Roads, Elveden with his parents; sister Violet; brothers Irvine and Bertie (domestic gardeners); sisters Gladys, Ina, Ada, and Nora [9]; brothers Jim [6] ans Harry [4]. The new siblings were born in Elveden. His elder brother Irvine was killed in France in 1917. see here |
|
He enlisted in Brandon.
The 4th and 5th Battalions of the Norfolks fought together in Gallipoli, in the Sulva Bay region in August 1915. Quite apart from fighting in very hot conditions over inhospitable ground against a well established enemy,they had to contend with lack of water and disease. Nearly 200 of the 5th Bn attacked on the 12th and most were never seen again until their bodies were discovered in 1919. The 4th, seemingly in support, fared better. CWGC records show that they were losing fewer than a handful of men each day
and also on the Weather Heath Memorial (Elveden Column by the A11) click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
