Gosport cricket veteran Ron Cross MBE has been awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French government “to recognise the selfless acts of heroism and determination displayed by all surviving veterans of the Normandy landings, and of the wider campaigns to liberate France in 1944.''
Ron, a sprightly 95-year old who is looking forward to Gosport Borough’s own 50th anniversary as a cricket club this summer, was among the who actually landed on and fought their way up the beaches 70 years ago. He drove a Churchill tank on to Juno beach later had an eye witness view of the horrific events in the Falaise Pocket, where an entire German army was destroyed and the Battle of Normandy effectively won.
Ron played cricket for Gosport before becoming one of the region’s most respected umpires. He formed the South Coast Panel and officiated Hampshire 2nd XI, Combined Services, Royal Navy and club matches for well over 30 years. He umpired the thrilling William Younger Cup national club championship final between Shrewsbury and Hastings & St Leonard’s Priory in 1983. Ron is still a regular at Gosport’s home games at Privett Park.
Ron, a sprightly 95-year old who is looking forward to Gosport Borough’s own 50th anniversary as a cricket club this summer, was among the who actually landed on and fought their way up the beaches 70 years ago. He drove a Churchill tank on to Juno beach later had an eye witness view of the horrific events in the Falaise Pocket, where an entire German army was destroyed and the Battle of Normandy effectively won.
Ron played cricket for Gosport before becoming one of the region’s most respected umpires. He formed the South Coast Panel and officiated Hampshire 2nd XI, Combined Services, Royal Navy and club matches for well over 30 years. He umpired the thrilling William Younger Cup national club championship final between Shrewsbury and Hastings & St Leonard’s Priory in 1983. Ron is still a regular at Gosport’s home games at Privett Park.
