The late Ron Cross pictured on his commemorative seat at Privett Park. Picture Richard Edwards.
Gosport cricket stalwart and decorated D-Day veteran Ron Cross MBE has visited the crease for the last time to play his final innings.
He passed away peacefully in a Gosport nursing home on Wednesday – eight months after celebrating his 100th birthday last June. He had been unwell for several weeks.
Ron served club cricket with distinction for over half a century, initially as a decent opening batsman with Gosport CC, his home town club, and, after retiring with a back injury, as one of the best known umpires on the circuit. He officiated for over 40 years.
His contribution to the game is marked by a commemorative seat alongside the pavilion at Privett Park, where he spent so many happy days with the game he loved.
Ron’s milestone 100th birthday last summer, which was marked by the traditional telegram from HM The Queen, came two days after the 76th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
As a demolitions non-commissioned officer, he was just 24 years of age when, as part of the Royal Engineers’ 79th Armoured Division, he went ashore on Juno Beach in Normandy at the head of the Allied invasion on 6 June 1944.
Falaise Gap
Ron and his unit were responsible for clearing minefields and blow up anything in the way to enable tanks to land on the beach.
From Normandy, Ron fought with his battalion through France and towards Germany, where he stayed until the end of the war. He witnessed the carnage at the Falaise gap, describing the scene as “horrible.”
He took part in three further landings in Holland and was mentioned in dispatches.
Ron’s heroism during the June 6 invasion, in 1944, earned him France’s highest medal for valour, the Legion d’Honneur in 2016.
Tributes have now been paid in honour of the ‘wonderful’ grandfather of three.
His 70-year-old son, Martyn Cross, of Gosport, said: ‘My dad had a very active life. He really did love life. He was extraordinary.
‘He was unbelievably brave during the war – they all were. It was a job and they all got on with it. If they hadn’t, the world would have been a very different place.
‘But he didn’t talk about the war for a long time. It upset him too much talk about D-Day.’
Mark Stevens, chairman of the Solent and District Branch Royal Engineers Association, said the retired Sapper’s legacy would never be forgotten.
Awe
‘New sappers and veterans like myself hold guys like Ron in absolute awe,’ he said. ‘It took incredible courage to do what they did and to clear mines and explosive traps while under direct enemy fire. Ron’s legacy will never be forgotten.’
Demobbed in 1946, Ron joined the Royal Navy Hospital, Haslar, as a woodwork instructor.
But soon his skills turned to patient care and rehabilitation and he trained as an occupational therapist, remaining at Haslar for 37 years.
His commitment to the hospital saw him being awarded an MBE 1980, which was presented to him during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: ‘Ron was a local hero in every sense of the word.
‘He fought for our country at D-Day, where he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur for his courage. He served our community, earning an MBE for his work at the Royal Hospital Haslar. And he was a stalwart of Gosport and local cricket. He was, quite simply, a local legend.
Active in the community, Ron was the chairman of the Gosport Stroke Club and frequently gave up his time to visit schools and attend seminars to talk about his WW2 experiences.
MBE
After the war, Ron worked as an occupational therapist at the Royal Navy Hospital, Haslar for 37 years and developed the department - for which he was deservedly awarded the MBE.
Upon retiring from playing he became leading umpire on the Hampshire circuit and beyond making a significant contribution to the summer game. His efforts are being marked by the installation of a commemorative bench at Privett Park.
He officiated hundreds of matches, including Hampshire 2nd XI, the Inter-Services Championships, national club championship cup ties, and the Southern Premier League – in addition to treading the hallowed turf of Lord’s on several occasions.
“I did 40 years or more on the circuit, during which time I became an umpiring instructor and helped form the South Coast Panel,” he recalled.
When asked who were the most famous people he had umpired, Ron smiled: “Gordon Greenidge and Peter O’Toole, who turned out for the Lord’s Taverners’ and was a real cricket fanatic.”
Ron’s funeral Service at St Luke’s Church in Haslar next month will be followed by a simple Cremation. At a future date a there will be a Memorial Service at St Luke’s and Internment of Ron’s Ashes in the Haslar Memorial Garden.
He passed away peacefully in a Gosport nursing home on Wednesday – eight months after celebrating his 100th birthday last June. He had been unwell for several weeks.
Ron served club cricket with distinction for over half a century, initially as a decent opening batsman with Gosport CC, his home town club, and, after retiring with a back injury, as one of the best known umpires on the circuit. He officiated for over 40 years.
His contribution to the game is marked by a commemorative seat alongside the pavilion at Privett Park, where he spent so many happy days with the game he loved.
Ron’s milestone 100th birthday last summer, which was marked by the traditional telegram from HM The Queen, came two days after the 76th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
As a demolitions non-commissioned officer, he was just 24 years of age when, as part of the Royal Engineers’ 79th Armoured Division, he went ashore on Juno Beach in Normandy at the head of the Allied invasion on 6 June 1944.
Falaise Gap
Ron and his unit were responsible for clearing minefields and blow up anything in the way to enable tanks to land on the beach.
From Normandy, Ron fought with his battalion through France and towards Germany, where he stayed until the end of the war. He witnessed the carnage at the Falaise gap, describing the scene as “horrible.”
He took part in three further landings in Holland and was mentioned in dispatches.
Ron’s heroism during the June 6 invasion, in 1944, earned him France’s highest medal for valour, the Legion d’Honneur in 2016.
Tributes have now been paid in honour of the ‘wonderful’ grandfather of three.
His 70-year-old son, Martyn Cross, of Gosport, said: ‘My dad had a very active life. He really did love life. He was extraordinary.
‘He was unbelievably brave during the war – they all were. It was a job and they all got on with it. If they hadn’t, the world would have been a very different place.
‘But he didn’t talk about the war for a long time. It upset him too much talk about D-Day.’
Mark Stevens, chairman of the Solent and District Branch Royal Engineers Association, said the retired Sapper’s legacy would never be forgotten.
Awe
‘New sappers and veterans like myself hold guys like Ron in absolute awe,’ he said. ‘It took incredible courage to do what they did and to clear mines and explosive traps while under direct enemy fire. Ron’s legacy will never be forgotten.’
Demobbed in 1946, Ron joined the Royal Navy Hospital, Haslar, as a woodwork instructor.
But soon his skills turned to patient care and rehabilitation and he trained as an occupational therapist, remaining at Haslar for 37 years.
His commitment to the hospital saw him being awarded an MBE 1980, which was presented to him during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: ‘Ron was a local hero in every sense of the word.
‘He fought for our country at D-Day, where he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur for his courage. He served our community, earning an MBE for his work at the Royal Hospital Haslar. And he was a stalwart of Gosport and local cricket. He was, quite simply, a local legend.
Active in the community, Ron was the chairman of the Gosport Stroke Club and frequently gave up his time to visit schools and attend seminars to talk about his WW2 experiences.
MBE
After the war, Ron worked as an occupational therapist at the Royal Navy Hospital, Haslar for 37 years and developed the department - for which he was deservedly awarded the MBE.
Upon retiring from playing he became leading umpire on the Hampshire circuit and beyond making a significant contribution to the summer game. His efforts are being marked by the installation of a commemorative bench at Privett Park.
He officiated hundreds of matches, including Hampshire 2nd XI, the Inter-Services Championships, national club championship cup ties, and the Southern Premier League – in addition to treading the hallowed turf of Lord’s on several occasions.
“I did 40 years or more on the circuit, during which time I became an umpiring instructor and helped form the South Coast Panel,” he recalled.
When asked who were the most famous people he had umpired, Ron smiled: “Gordon Greenidge and Peter O’Toole, who turned out for the Lord’s Taverners’ and was a real cricket fanatic.”
Ron’s funeral Service at St Luke’s Church in Haslar next month will be followed by a simple Cremation. At a future date a there will be a Memorial Service at St Luke’s and Internment of Ron’s Ashes in the Haslar Memorial Garden.
The toast is ... Ron Cross !
