PC 227 John Cross Service Record
John Cross – Early Life.
John Cross was born on the 19th July 1878 at Launton, Oxfordshire.
His father, Richard Cross, was born in 1851 at Launton and married his mother, Emily Augusta Cubbage, who was born in 1853 also at Launton, on the 8th May 1873 at Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire. According to the 1911 census they had 5 children with one sadly having died before 1911. Only the four children who survived have been identified:
1. Elizabeth born in 1875 at Launton.
2. John.
3. Kate born in 1881 at Launton.
4. Aubrey Richard born in 1892 at Marsh Gibbon.
During the 1881 census the family were living at Folly Farm House, Launton, Bicester, Oxfordshire. John’s father was a Farm Bailiff. In the 1891 census the family had moved to Charndon Road, Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire. John’s father was working as a farmer and John was a scholar.
John Cross – Marriage.
John married Julia Thorn(e) on the 2nd June 1899 at Poplar. Julia was born in 1879 at Hawridge, Buckinghamshire and in the 1891 census she was recorded as living with her parents at Porridge Pot Hill (now Church Hill, Bedmond), Abbots Langley, Watford. They had 3 children:
1. Stanley Jack (known as Jack) was born on 9th April 1900 at Hitchin. He was baptised on the 13th July 1900 at St. Mary’s Hitchin.
2. Gwendoline Ivy was born in 1903 at Aldbury.
3. Eric Aubrey was born in 1906 at Aldbury.
A few months after getting married John applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary. As part of that process he underwent a medical at Police Headquarters at Hatfield on the 7th December 1899 by the Force Surgeon Lovell Drage who certified: “I hereby certify that I have examined the above candidate as to his health and bodily strength and consider him fit for the Constabulary of this County.”
John Cross – Police Service.
John was Appointed as Constable 227 in the Hertford County Constabulary on the 28th December 1899 on £1/1/7 per week.
His Police Form 3 Record Sheet has survived and recorded his description as follows: Age: 21 5/12 years, Place and date of birth: Launton, Oxford 19th July 1878, Height: 5 feet 11 ½ inches, Chest: 35 ½ inches, Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black, Marks: Scar over left eye. He said his religion was Church of England and his next of kin was his wife Julia. He said he could ride a pedal cycle but could not swim and his previous occupation had been as an Asylum Attendant at the Metropolitan Asylum for Chronic Imbeciles at Leavesden.
John Cross – Initial Posting.
On the 28th December 1899 John was posted to D Division at Hemel Hempstead where, as was the policy at the time, he underwent his Probationer training by a senior experienced Constable under the supervision of his Superintendent.
On the 3rd January 1900 John was approved and sworn in before D.H. Ryder J.P. and J. Marnham J.P. at Hemel Hempstead.
John Cross – A Pay Rise And A Transfer.
On the 22nd January 1900 John received an increase in his pay from £1/1/7 to £1/2/9 per week and then on the 26th January he was transferred from D Division at Hemel Hempstead to E Division at Hitchin.
John Cross – A Drunken Assault.
Published in the Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow on Friday 18th May 1900:
Henry Bassett and Joseph Day, labourers, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly on the highway at Hitchin, on May 8th. Bassett did not appear, and a warrant was issued. The evidence of Police Constable Cross was that the defendant was drunk and fighting in Brand Street. He was fined 10s. including costs. John Day, brother of the defendant in the last case, was charged with assaulting PC Cross in the execution of his duty. The complainant said the defendant came up to him and spoke about his brother and then struck him violently on the mouth. Day, who denied the offence, was fined 10s. with 11s. 6d. costs, or in default 7 days imprisonment. He said he had no money.
On the 9th August 1900 John received an increase in pay from £1/2/9 to £1/3/11 per week.
In the 1901 census Police Constable John Cross and his family were listed as living in Lancaster Road, Hitchin.
On the 1st April 1901 John received a pay increase as part of a national award from £1/3/11 to £1/5/8 per week.
John Cross – Transferred.
On the 1st May 1901 John was transferred back to D Division at Hemel Hempstead.
In December 1901 he passed his Ambulance certificate, an important qualification which entitled him to wear a badge on his lower left tunic sleeve to show he was trained in basic First Aid.
On the 20th March 1902 John received an increase of pay £1/5/8 to £1/6/10 per week.
John Cross – Another Transfer.
In April 1902 John was transferred again although he remained in D Division this time being posted to Aldbury.
On the 16th March 1905 John was awarded another pay rise from £1/6/10 to £1/8/0 per week.
John Cross – Yet Another Transfer.
On the 19th February 1906 John was transferred once more this time from D Division at Aldbury to G Division at Harpenden.
John Cross – Abandoned Horse And Van.
Published in the Herts Advertiser on Saturday 26th May 1906 under the headline A Long Drink: William Marks, a Watford man, did not appear at the County Sessions at St Albans on Saturday when summoned for leaving a horse and cart unattended at Harpenden on May 1st.
PC Cross said on Tuesday May 1st he was on duty in the High Street, and at 9.20 p.m. he saw a horse and van standing unattended outside the Red Lion. At 10.20 witness was on the St. Albans road near to the Silver Cup, and saw a van approaching from the direction of Luton. No one was in charge, and he recognised the van as the one he had noticed an hour before at the Red Lion. Witness went and found the defendant in the public house, where apparently, he had remained during the whole of the time.
The Chairman of the Bench (Mr. H.J. Toulmin) said the practice was a very dangerous one, and they imposed a fine of 10s. and costs or seven days’ imprisonment.
On the 12th March 1908 John received a pay increase from £1/8/0 per week to £1/9/2 per week.
John Cross – Theft From A Till.
Published in the Luton Reporter on Thursday 23rd February 1911 under the headline Alleged Theft From A Till At Harpenden. Against a Luton Man: In a case from Harpenden at St. Albans District Sessions on Saturday morning, Edgar William Butcher a Clerk from Luton, was charged with stealing money from the till of the Cross Keys Hotel, Harpenden, on Tuesday, February 18th. Defendant pleaded that be had no knowledge of the affair.
Mrs. Annie Moorcroft, wife of George Moorcroft, of the Cross Keys Hotel, stated that on Tuesday afternoon defendant came into the bar and asked for half a pint of beer. She served him and went into the smoke room. She heard the rattle of money and running back into the bar saw the till door open, and defendant drawing back from the place where the till stood. She went up to him and he pushed 4d. into her hand. She said she would give him in charge, and when she went in search of her husband, defendant ran off down the road.
PC Cross stated that after receiving a complaint from Mrs. Moorcroft on Tuesday afternoon he went to the Great Northern Railway Station and there found defendant. He told him that he answered the description of a man who had taken 4d. from the till of the Cross Keys Hotel, and defendant replied, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Whilst witness was taking defendant to the Police Station, he met Mrs. Moorcroft, and she said, “You have got the right man.”
When charged defendant replied, “You have got to prove it.” The man was sober when arrested.
Defendant said that he must have been under the influence of drink at the time. He went on to say that he had not had regular work for a time, but had a letter front a London Stockbroker asking him to go and see him that (Saturday) afternoon with reference to a situation. He had been a householder at Luton for some two years, had been a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Powdrill’s, Luton, and had also held a situation at the Luton Fire Wood Works until the place was burnt down.
The Bench took a lenient view of the case, and after giving defendant warning of the folly of his conduct bound him over to be of good behaviour.
In the 1911 census Police Constable John Cross and his family lived at 1, Newcombe Street, Harpenden. Son Stanley was at school.
John Cross – A Further Transfer.
In October 1911, the exact day is not recorded, John was transferred from G Division at Harpenden to E Division at Barkway.
On the 30th October 1911, the National School Admission Register for Barkway Church of England Junior, Middle & Infant School records that John’s son Stanley was admitted to the school having previously attended school in Harpenden. He left the school aged 13 years on the 23rd December 1913.
On the 1st October 1912 John was given, as part of a national award, a pay rise from £1/9/2 to £1/10/11 per week.
John Cross – A Minor Blemish.
On the 12th May 1913 John was admonished by the Chief Constable for contravening Standing Order number 64. The details of exactly what he had done wrong have not survived but the admonishment was the lowest level of punishment available to the Chief Constable.
John Cross – Commendation.
On the 11th December 1913 John was commended by the Chief Constable but again the details of what he did to earn the commendation have not survived.
The Electoral Roll for 1914 lists John Cross as living in High Street, Barkway.
John Cross – Award Of Good Conduct Badge.
General Order 7 of the 8th January 1915 announced that PC 227 J. Cross had been awarded his first Good Conduct Badge on the 28th December 1914 which also brought extra pay. However, this reference was crossed through on his Service Record and a separate entry made for the 28th December 1915 for the same award.
John Cross – Army Service During The War.
John’s Army Service Record has not survived however, from his Police Service Record, we know that he enlisted on the 10th December 1915, but he was immediately transferred to the Section B Army Reserve and returned to his Police duties. This was part of what was known as the Derby Scheme. Thousands of men around the country including dozens of Hertfordshire Police Officers enlisted under the scheme. The Hertfordshire Officers mainly enlisted between the 9th and the 11th December 1915. Every Section B Reservist was issued with an individually numbered Khaki Armlet with a red Crown displayed on it which was to be worn on the upper left arm to demonstrate they were a Reservist and were waiting to be mobilised. In the event there is no record that he was ever mobilised.
On the 1st July 1918 as part of a national pay award John was given an increase of pay from £1/10/11 to £2/12/0 per week. Then on the 1st April 1919 as part of another national award his pay was increased from £2/12/0 to £4/12/6 per week.
John Cross – The Final Transfer.
General Order 242 of the 9th December 1919 instructed John that he was being transferred from E Division at Barkway to B Division at Bishops Stortford from the 17th December 1919.
The Electoral Rolls for 1920 to 1922 list John and Julia Cross as living at 115, South Street, Bishops Stortford.
John Cross – Retirement And Award Of Pension.
General Order 179 of the 31st October 1921 announced John’s retirement as follows: The undermentioned Constable has been certified as medically unfit by the Constabulary Staff Surgeon: PC 227 John Cross, B Division with 21 years and 330 days service. Constable Cross will be paid up to the 23rd November 1921 inclusive, and his name struck off the strength of the Force on that date. In fact, from the 15th April 1921 he had been on sick leave suffering from Phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis.
General Order 4 of the 10th January 1992 announced that 5 Officers had been awarded Pensions. These included PC 227 J. Cross B Division, who, having completed 21 years of approved Service, was awarded an annual pension of £105/16/5 from the 24th November 1921.
John Cross died on the 23rd November 1923 at Bishops Stortford.
Stanley Jack Cross – Army Service.
Stanley’s Army Service Record has survived and shows that on the 15th November 1915 at Hitchin, Stanley Cross, (he omitted his middle name), enlisted as Guardsman 24497 in the Grenadier Guards for Short Service for the duration of the war. The following was recorded: He gave his address as High Street, Barkway near Royston, Herts. and his age as 19 years 7 months. (In reality he was only 15 years and 7 months old.) He said he was employed as a gardener, was not married and had never served in the Military before.
He had been medically examined at Royston on the 12th November 1915 and his Medical History Army Form B178 records the following: He said he was born at Hitchin and his declared age was 19 7/12 years, his occupation was as a gardener and he was 5 feet 11 inches tall, his weight was 137 lbs, his chest was 35 ½ inches with 1 ½ inch expansion and his physical development was described as good.
It is easy to understand from his size how he could have been mistaken for being 19 years old, although it is well known that the recruiting Sergeants, who were paid a bounty for every recruit they signed up, were prepared to turn a blind eye.
His description on enlistment was recorded as being identical to his medical examination except it included a distinctive mark which was shown as a vaccination mark on his left arm.
He gave his next of kin as his mother Julia Cross of High Street, Barkway, near Royston, Herts.
Posted To France.
His Military History sheet records that he joined the Regiment at Caterham the same day he enlisted. On the 10th June 1916 he embarked at Southampton as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France.
On the 11th June he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and then on the 29th June he joined the 7th Entrenching Battalion 4th Army.
On the 17th July 1916 he arrived at the Guards Battalion Base Depot at Harfleur having been identified as immature or under age. Officially a soldier could not be sent overseas until aged 19 years.
Sent Home.
On the 19th July 1916 he was returned to England as he was immature, but he was allowed to remain in the Army and on the 21st July, he was posted to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, Grenadier Guards.
Broken Leg.
On the 15th November 1916 he was admitted to the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital Extension suffering from a fractured left fibula. On the 16th November he was described as being much improved following an operation for an open reduction. By the 11th December, the operation wound had healed. He was treated in hospital for a total of 30 days before being discharged on the 14th December 1916. He was then awarded 14 days leave and was deemed fit for duty afterwards.
On the 13th July 1917 he was awarded a 3rd Class Certificate of Education and on the 21st October 1917, he was awarded a 2nd Class Certificate of Education.
Back Overseas.
On the 7th April 1918 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and embarked at Folkestone disembarking in France the same day. The following day he joined the Guards Division Reinforcement Battalion at Etaples. He turned 18 years of age on the 9th April.
Wounded.
On the 7th July 1918 he received a gunshot wound to his left shoulder whilst in the field. On the 8th July he was taken by the 3rd Field Ambulance to the 19th Casualty Clearing Station, known as the 2/1 Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station, at Frèvent. On the 21st July, having recovered, he re-joined the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards in the field.
The War Office Daily List No.5643 published on the 14th August 1918 recorded that Private 24497 S. Cross, Grenadier Guards had been wounded. His next of kin were shown as being from Barkway. He was entitled to wear a Wound Stripe as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award having been met by his being named on this list.
Homeward Bound.
On the 4th March 1919 he embarked at Dunkirk for his return to England. On his Army Form Z22 Statement as to Disability the following was recorded: Guardsman 24497 Stanley Cross, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, permanent address was shown as Barkway near Royston, Herts., age last birthday 20 (in reality he was only 19), first joined for duty on the 15th November 1915 at Caterham with a medical grade of A1 on joining. “I do not claim to be suffering from a disability due to my Military Service,” signed: S. Cross on 14th March 1919 at London.
He was demobilised on the 15th March 1919 after 3 years 5 months service.
On the 12th April 1919 he was transferred to Section Z Army Reserve following his demobilisation.
Awarded The Military Medal.
The Supplement to the London Gazette issue 31469 page 9364 published on the 22nd July 1919 announced: “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men,” – Private 24497 S. Cross 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards of Barkway. The citation for the award of the Military Medal has not survived so it is unknown what the circumstances were which resulted in this award or when they occurred.
On the 31st March 1920 he was finally discharged from the Army.
As well as the Military Medal he received the British War and Victory medals. His Police Service Record also shows that he was awarded 2 Wound Stripes. The injury to his leg would not have counted as a wound and it is unknown when he received the second wound or how severe it was.
Like every other soldier he received 28 days leave on demobilisation which he clearly used to apply to join the Hertford County Constabulary. As it was for his father before him part of that process involved him having a medical at Police Headquarters at Hatfield on the 10th April 1919 by the Force Surgeon L. Drage who certified: “I hereby certify that I have examined the above candidate as to his health and bodily strength and consider him fit for the Constabulary of this County.”
PC 62 Stanley Jack Cross 1919
Stanley Jack Cross – Police Service.
Stanley was Appointed Constable 62 in the Hertford County Constabulary on the 28th April 1919 earning £3/10/0 per week. However, it was recorded in Item 17 of a meeting of the Standing Joint Committee held on the 20th June 1919 that his service would not count for pension purposes until he reached 21 years of age i.e. 9th April 1921.
His Police Form 3 Record Sheet has also survived and recorded his description as follows: Age: 19 years, Place and date of birth: Hitchin 9th April 1900, height: 5 feet 11 ½ inches, chest: 37 ½ inches, complexion: fresh, eyes: brown, hair: dark brown, marks: scar left leg (surgical scar). He said his religion was Church of England, that he could ride a pedal cycle but could not swim and that prior to his Military Service he had been employed as a gardener by Mr. A. Crossman of the Cokenach Estate, Barkway. He gave his next of kin as his father John Cross of Barkway. This was later amended to his mother Julia of 115, South Street, Bishops Stortford and later again his wife Vera.
Unlike his father, Stanley underwent his Probationary Training at R Division, Police Headquarters. He was in Class 15 with Sergeant 161 Maskell and Constable 280 Sharp as his instructors.
PC 62 Stanley Jack Cross Service Record
Stanley Jack Cross – First Posting.
General Order 162 of the 17th July 1919 announced that 15 Recruit Constables having been brought onto the Roster for duty would be transferred from Headquarters to Divisions. PC 62 S.J. Cross was posted to G Division at Hatfield from the 17th July. Each Officer had to be Attested and the Superintendents concerned had to report to Headquarters the date and place and before whom it was taken.
On the 17th July 1919 Stanley was Attested at Hatfield by W.J. Horn J.P. and J.C. McCowan J.P.
Stanley Jack Cross – Transfer.
His Service Record shows that on the 28th February 1920 Stanley was transferred from G Division at Hatfield to F Division at Hertford. The 1920 and 1921 Electoral Rolls list Stanley Jack Cross as living at 10. Parliament Row, Hertford with the Tilley family.
On the 17th March 1920 he passed his Ambulance certificate, an important qualification which entitled him to wear a badge on his lower left tunic sleeve to show he was trained in basic First Aid.
General Order 79 of the 29th April 1920 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £3/10/0 to £3/12/0 per week from the 28th April 1920.
Stanley Jack Cross – A Minor Blemish.
General Order 28 of the 23rd February 1921 announced that PC 62 Jack Cross F Division had been reprimanded by the Chief Constable firstly for failing to complete his tour of night duty at Hertford on the 14th February 1921 and secondly for failing to make his 6.30 a.m. Conference Point at Christ Church, Hertford on the 16th February 1921.
General Order 86 of the 25th May 1921 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £3/12/0 to £3/14/0 per week from the 28th April 1921.
Stanley Jack Cross – Transfer.
General Order 161 of the 21st September 1921 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred from F Division at Hertford to F Division at Welwyn from the 19th September 1921.
General Order 58 of the 8th May 1922 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £3/14/0 to £3/16/0 per week from the 28th April 1922.
Stanley Jack Cross – Another Transfer.
General Order 11 of the 19th January 1923 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred back from F Division at Welwyn to B Division at Hatfield from the 31st January 1923. (The Divisional structure had undergone re-organisation).
General Order 91 of the 10th May 1923 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £3/16/0 to £3/18/0 per week from the 28th April 1923.
Stanley Jack Cross – Two Quick Transfers.
General Order 137 of the 2nd August 1923 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred from B Division at Hatfield to C Division at Watford from the 31st July 1923. Then General Order 185 of the 9th November 1923 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred back from C Division at Watford to B Division at Hatfield from the 10th November 1923.
Stanley Jack Cross – Transferred Again.
General Order 2 of the 2nd January 1924 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred back from B Division at Hatfield to A Division at Bishops Stortford from the 7th January 1924. The 1924 to 1926 Electoral Rolls list Stanley as living with his mother at 115, South Street, Bishops Stortford. His father having died in the previous November this was quite likely a move motivated by the welfare needs of his mother rather than a Policing need.
General Order 88 of the 23rd May 1924 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £3/18/0 to £4/0/0 per week from the 28th April 1924.
Stanley Jack Cross – Another Temporary Transfer.
General Order 97 of the 14th June 1924 instructed Stanley that he was being temporarily transferred from A Division at Bishops Stortford to E Division at Hitchin. The reason for the move was not recorded and it is not shown on his Service Record. General Order 107 of the 9th July 1924 announced his return to Bishops Stortford.
General Order 82 of the 22nd May 1925 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £4/0/0 to £4/2/0 per week from the 28th April 1925.
Stanley Jack Cross – Marriage.
Stanley Jack Cross married Nellie Hayes on the 19th April 1926 at Ware. Nellie was born on the 15th February 1893 at Watton-At-Stone and baptised there on the 23rd April 1893. In the 1911 census she was employed as a servant by the Hoare family living at The Gressens, Welwyn where she was recorded as being called Ellen. There are other records which also show her as Helen and Vera. Whilst Nellie, Ellen, Helen are all derivatives of Eleanor and their use can be perhaps explained the origin of the use of Vera is not known. They had two children:
1. Roy Aubrey born in 1927 at Aldbury.
2. Betty born in 1928 in Aldbury.
General Order 67 of the 16th May 1926 informed Stanley that he would receive an increase of pay from £4/2/0 to £4/4/0 per week from the 28th April 1926.
Stanley Jack Cross – Yet Another Transfer.
General Order 73 of the 24th May 1926 instructed Stanley that he was being transferred back from A Division at Bishops Stortford to D Division at Aldbury from the 2nd June 1926. The 1926 to 1929 Electoral Rolls list Jack and Vera Cross as living at the Police Cottage, Aldbury.
Stanley Jack Cross – A Royal Visit – Mutual Aid To Luton Borough Police.
General Order 156 of 14th November 1926 announced orders for an Inspector, two Sergeants and 18 Constables with regard to the visit of HRH The Prince of Wales to Luton on the 17th November 1926. Stanley was listed as one of those detailed to attend. In command of the Hertfordshire contingent was Inspector G.T. Sharp of R Division who would act under orders as laid down by the Chief Constable of the Borough of Luton. The detachment was instructed to report at the Borough Police Station Luton at 9 a.m. The men were ordered to take the following dress and equipment: Great Coats 1925 issue, Cloth jackets 1926 issue, Dress trousers 1926 issue, Cloth helmets 1926 issue, Whistle and chain, Handcuffs, Pocket Book, Truncheon, Black woollen gloves and Capes.
Stanley Jack Cross – Qualified For Promotion To Sergeant.
General Order 12 of 9th January 1927 announced that on the 8th October 1926 Stanley qualified by passing the exam for promotion to Sergeant.
Stanley’s Service Record shows that on the 28th April 1927 he received an increase in pay to £4/6/0 per week. On the 22nd December 1927 he was awarded a Special pay increase to £4/8/0 per week and then on the 28th April 1928 he was awarded £4/10/0 per week.
Stanley Jack Cross – Another Transfer.
On the 17th July 1929 Stanley was transferred to the D Division headquarters at Hemel Hempstead. The 1930 Electoral Roll lists Stanley Jack and Vera Cross as living at the Police Station, Bury Road, Hemel Hempstead.
Stanley Jack Cross – Promotion To Sergeant And Another Move.
On the 7th September 1933 Stanley was promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant earning £5/0/0 per week and on the 11th September 1933, he was transferred to D Division at Berkhamstead. A year later on the 7th September 1934 he was confirmed in the substantive rank of Sergeant earning £5/2/6 per week.
On the 7th September 1935, 1936 and 1937 he was awarded pay rises of £5/5/0, £5/7/6 and £5/10/0, respectively.
Stanley Jack Cross – Qualified For Promotion To Inspector.
During 1937 Stanley passed the exam qualifying him for promotion to Inspector.
On the 7th September 1938 he was awarded a pay rise to £5/12/6 per week.
In the 1939 Register Police Sergeant Jack Cross and his family were recorded as living at 72, Kitsbury Road, Berkhamstead.
Stanley Jack Cross – Promotion To Inspector And A Final Move.
On the 1st August 1943 Stanley was promoted to the rank of Acting Inspector earning £325/0/0 per annum and on the same day he was transferred to C Division at Watford. A year later on the 1st August 1994 he was confirmed in the substantive rank of Inspector earning £335/0/0 per annum.
On the 1st April 1945 he received another pay increase to £435/0/0 per annum as part of a national pay award.
Stanley Jack Cross – Retirement.
On the 8th April 1946 Stanley retired as an Inspector on the completion of his service receiving a pension of £231/3/0 per annum.
Stanley Jack Cross – Request For A Testimonial.
On the 21st January 1951 ex-Detective Inspector Jack Cross of 317, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex wrote to the Chief Constable requesting a testimonial as follows: Sir, I am applying for a post with the Colonial Office, C.I.D. Jamaica as advertised in the Police Review about two weeks ago. Would you please give me a testimonial in that respect in order that I can send it in with an application form. If you prefer to the testimonial can be sent direct by you to Director of Recruitment, (Colonial Service) Colonial Office, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, SW.1. I don’t know what my chances are but thought it would be interesting if I could pull it off. Awaiting your reply. Yours faithfully Jack Cross.
On the 22nd January 1951 Assistant Chief Constable Abel Camp wrote directly to the Colonial Office as follows: Sir, I am directed by the Chief Constable to inform you that ex-Detective Inspector Jack Cross of this Force, and now residing at 317, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex has informed the Chief Constable that he is applying for a post with the Colonial Office, C.I.D., Jamaica and has asked for a testimonial. I have much pleasure in appending details of ex-Detective Inspector Cross’ Army and Police Service.
Prior to joining the Hertfordshire Constabulary Mr. Cross served with the Grenadier Guards as a private from November 1915 to March 1919 and was awarded the Military Medal.
He joined this Force on the 28th April 1919 and was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant in September 1933 and to the rank of Inspector on the 1st August 1943, and then to Detective Inspector in charge of the C.I.D. at Watford which is the largest Police Division in this County. He was seconded for duty as a member of the staff of the Control Commission for Germany and retired from the Police Service on pension on the 8th April 1946 with an exemplary character.
I knew Detective Inspector Cross personally during the whole of his Police Service. He was engaged for a considerable time on plain clothes and C.I.D. duty and I consider he is in every way suitable for the appointment he now seeks. I am Sir, your obedient servant, A. Camp Assistant Chief Constable.
It is not known if he was successful in his application.
Stanley Jack Cross Marriage.
Stanley Jack Cross married Hildegard Harter in 1972 at Brentwood.
Sadly, Hildegard of 11, Bellhouse Lane, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex died on the 27th October 1978.
Stanley Jack Cross of Lynton, 11, Bellhouse Lane, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex died on the 16th December 1985. His funeral was held at 2.15 pm. On the 19th December at Upminster Crematorium.
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