Frederick John Cross
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick was the son of Esther Mary Cross who at the time of her son's death was living at 44 Healey Street, Meadows, Nottingham. Esther completed the 1911 census form with the information that she had had nine children born alive of whom eight were still living. However only six children were named on the 1901 and 1911 census: Dorothy (b. Loughborough), Tom A (b. Loughborough), Frederick John (b. Loughborough/Leicester), Sarah Jane (b. Acton Louville, Gloucester), Edward W (b. Whitchurch, Glamorgan) and Mabel Esther (b. Cardiff, Glamorgan). Esther Mary was born about 1871 and was the daughter of John and Martha Giles of Burton in the Wolds on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border. Esther's place of birth was given on census returns as either 'Burton on the Wolds' or 'Loughborough, Leicester'. Esther was still living at home in 1891 at the age of 20; no occupation was given on the census. Records of her marriages have not yet been traced but in 1901 she was living in Whitchurch, Glamorgan, and described on the census as the wife of Frederick John Rice. She and her husband had five children; Dorothy, Tom, Frederick, Sarah and Edward, all of whom had the surname 'Rice'. Frederick John (35, b. Gloucester) was a railway carter. By 1911 Esther was recorded on the census as Esther CROSS. She lived at 4 Livingstone Terrace, Nottingham, and was the head of the household, a widow who was employed as a cook general in a 'refreshment house'. Four of her children were in the household on the night of the census: Dorothy (18) who worked in a lace factory, Sarah Jane (12), Edward (10) and Mabel (9), all of whom had the surname 'Cross'. Also in the household were Lily Webb (16, b. Loughborough) and George Webb (14, b. Nottingham) who were described as Esther's niece and nephew. She also had a lodger, Annie Burns (20). Esther died aged 92 in Nottingham in 1962 (death registered in March).
Frederick joined the Royal Navy from school in 1913 when he was 15 years old; he joined as a Boy 2nd Class. He engaged for 12 years on 12 October 1915, his 18th birthday. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: HMS Impregnable 6 June 1913-22 September 1913 (Boy 2nd Class); HMS Powerful, 3 September 1913-6 September 1913; HMS Impregnable, 27 September 1913- 15 January 1914 (Boy 1st Class 15 January 1914); HMS Endymon, 16 January 1914-3 May 1914; Vivid I, 4 May 1914-9 June 1914; Sutley, 10 June 1914-22 June 1914; HMS Defence, 23 June 1914-26 June 1915; HMS Cyclops, 27 June 1915-2 August 1915 (Ordinary Telegraphist 31 July 1915); HMS Defence, 3 August 1915-31 May 1916 (Telegraphist 19 December 1915). Record annotated ‘NP 4141/1916. DD 31st May 1916. Killed in Action.’ He was killed at the Battle of Jutland; his body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Battle of Jutland: Admiral Arbuthnot of the 1st Cruiser Squadron seeing the German battle cruisers heading in his direction, moved to engage the enemy cruisers with all guns firing. The superior German battle cruisers deluged both H.M.S. "Defence" and H.M.S. "Warrior" with fire. The "Defence" was hit by two heavy salvoes and in a cloud of smoke and flame the ship blew up. There were no survivors. H.M.S. "Warrior" soon followed.
In memoriam published 1st June 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “CROSS. – In loving memory of my dearly beloved son, Telegraphist F. J. Cross, H.M.S. Defence, lost in Jutland battle, May 31st, 1916. Ever remembered. – Mother, sisters, and brothers.” 'In memoriam' notice published 1st June 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “CROSS. – In loving memory of Telegraphist F. J. Cross, H.M.S. Defence, lost in Jutland Battle, May 31st, 1916. Fondly remembered. – Mother, sisters, and brothers.” 'In memoriam' notice published 31st May 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “CROSS. – In ever-loving memory of my dearly loved son, Telegraphist F. J. Cross, H.M.S. Defence, lost at sea May 31st, 1916. Fondly remembered. – Mother.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
