54858: Photo of Kate Cross, wife of James Cross

Part of a large collection relating to Jim Cross, Broadway, Worcestershire. Before the First World War he was a postman in Hereford, joining the army as a ˜sapper' (service number 62966) in the Royal Engineer (Signals) in January 1915. The collection includes artefacts from Serjeant James Cross' service as a despatch rider, and his memoirs “ dictated in his 90s in the 1980s-90s to his second wife, Jill. The memoirs are based on Jim's diaries from 1915, 1917 and 1918. Sjt. Cross served overseas in the 38th (Welsh) Division Signalling Company, and was later attached to Headquaters, Royal Artillery, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

Throughout his diaries and memoirs the relationship with Kate Jones (nickname 'Johnney') is the main theme. They had met before the start of the first diary, but were only just courting. However by the end of the first year of the diaries (1915) they have courted, got married, and been separated as Jim is sent to France. Their courting is detailed, as is the receipt of letters, or letters not arriving. Kate died in 1979, Jim lived until 1994 - re-marrying in 1981.