CROSS, Matthew
| Service Number: | 3467 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Condah, Victoria, Australia, 26 February 1882 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Salvation Army Officer |
| Died: | Perth, Western Australia, 17 June 1943, aged 61 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Jan 1917: | Involvement Private, 3467, 47th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ayrshire embarkation_ship_number: A33 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 1917: | Embarked Private, 3467, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ayrshire, Sydney | |
| 30 Sep 1917: | Wounded 3467, Matt had both legs amputated. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Christine Dunstan
Matthew Cross was born in 1882, the eldest child of Henry & Janet Cross nee McCallum. in 1906 Matt was transferred to Queensland for his work in the Salvation Army, and it was there he met his future bride, Ann Dorothy Rowe. They were married at Townsville in 1913 and would eventually have 4 children.
Matt enlisted in 1916 only to loose both legs the following year. Not one to feel sorry for himself, after his convalesence in England, Matt was granted leave. He acquired a "chariot" (wheelchair) and headed for some sightseeing in Scotland, the home of his ancestors.
Sometime after his return to Australia Matt & Annie moved to Western Australia to further their work with the Salvation Army. In 1927 Matt purchased a Chevrolet tourer, fitted with hand controls. Freedom! In 1931 & 1934 he made car trips across the Nullabor to visit his parents in Western Victoria. In 1941 he was spotted on the roof of a house he was rennovating, by a "Smith's Weekly" reporter, who smelt a good story.
Despite his disabilities Matt did not let them stop him from doing anything, be it looking after his family or continuing his ministrations with the Salvation Army.
From 'Great Warrior For God' A biography of Ensign Matthew Cross by Crystal Campbell. Green & Gold Series no. 11 produced by the Salvation Army.
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