60852: Memories of James Cross

<p dir="ltr">Part of a large collection relating to Jim Cross, Broadway, Worcestershire. </p> <p>This is an extract of the memoirs written down by Jim Cross and his second wife during the 1980s and 1990s. Before the First World War Jim was a postman in Hereford, joining the army as a ˜sapper' in the Royal Engineer Signals in January 1915. The memoirs are based in part on Jim's diaries from 1915, 1916 and 1918, also submitted as part of this collection along with a number of other artefacts. No diary survives for 1917 “ Cross' jacket was stolen with the diary in a special pocket “ however there are memories from that year recorded in this ˜book', which Jill Cross published privately in 1995. Jill explains that:<br> * on pp 16, 18, 26, 33 Jim expresses his opinions about his life or his service or his comrades/superiors;<br> * on pp 28, 34 and 35 Jim's promotions are mentioned<br> * on pp 25, 27, 30, 31 the ˜horrors' of the war are included<br> * on pp 31, 32, 32 again, 37, 38 Jim's close escapes from injury or death are mentioned.</p> <p>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. Sjt. Cross served overseas in the 38th (Welsh) Division Signalling Company, and was later attached to Headquaters, Royal Artillery, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.</p>