Able Seaman, Robert Mains Cross, Tyneside Z/3714 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Robert was the son of James and Margaret Cross, of 4 Whitewell Lane, Ryton on Tyne. Robert like his father was a miner (pit unknown) Robert was a difficult casualty to research as the only evidence we had at the time was his name engraved on the panel at Ryton War Memorial (R Cross) Following many hours of further research through archives at Newcastle Central Library we managed to locate a photo of Robert and the obvious evidence was that he was a Naval person. Next lead was the Fleet Air Arm Museum, at Yeovilton, Somerset, where after some months we managed to locate and purchase Roberts service record. What we found was a tragic event leading to the death of Robert. Robert had enlisted into the Royal Naval Division on 30th January 1915. He saw active service at Gallipoli in September of 1915. Following a short spell in a London hospital following his return from the Gallipoli campaign, Robert then embarked for France. He received gunshot wounds to his head on 13th November 1916 and was admitted first to the 3rd Field Ambulance and then to the 2nd General Hospital, at Le Harve, for treatment. He re-joined his unit on 1st December 1916. After a brief period of leave in England, Robert returned to the front line trenches. Robert was accidently shot through the head and died of his wounds in the 41st Casualty Clearing Station, on 2nd June 1917. During a Naval inquiry it was stated that whilst passing down the line Robert was hit by a bullet negligently discharged by one of the garrison who was cleaning his rifle. The culprit was Wales/Z2639 Able Seaman Trevor Mortimer Gibbs, of Howe Battalion. The same bullet also wounded another man; Tyneside Z/8450 Able Seaman, Tom Ward, a Lewis Gunner, also in Howe Battalion. He suffered a fractured left shoulder and was invalided home. He was discharged as unfit for further service on 9th August 1918. Witness statements from Able Seamen H Smedley, G Cockrain and T M Gibbs, all stated that the shooting of Able Seaman Cross was an accident. Can you imagine the horror that Able Seaman Gibbs felt in shooting a fellow sailor? He was eventually cleared of charges. It is very doubtful that Roberts parents were informed at the time of his death details, the War Office would have sent the usual notification killed in action or died of wounds.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 22:33:35 +0000
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