Cross, William Andrew
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Andrew |
Surname | Cross |
Gender | M |
Age | 27 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 09-03-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Cross and Martha Elizabeth Cross (née Moline), of Victoria, British Colombia, Canada. Husband of Lois Myrtle Cross (née Keeler), whom he married on 14 May 1941 at Victoria B.C. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | N3673 |
Markings | LS- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | XV. A. 10. |
Epitaph | FOREVER LOVINGLY REMEMBERED BY YOUR WIFE LOIS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 151 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/74718 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 15 (XV) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | RAF Wyton Memorial Garden, Wyton, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating the Pathfinder Sqns operating from RAF Wyton, 1942-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born on 29 July 1914 at Crescent Lake, Saskatchewan. His father was a retired farmer born in Stafford, England and his mother was born in Sweden. The schools he attended were Oakland’s School (Public) in Victoria, British Colombia between 1924-1930 and Victoria High 1930-1934. He also took a Night School Business course 1936-1937. William’s sporting interests were rugby, football, baseball, swimming and hunting and his interest in mechanics was his hobby. Between 1930-1936 he worked as a messenger and clerk for the Canadian Pacific Telegraph and as a foundry Chipper and Rivetter for Victoria Brass & Iron in 1936. He then worked at Cecil Eve Motors in Victoria as a Service Station Attendant from 1938 until enlisting on 10 October 1940. |
After training William was posted to the U.K. and arrived at 3PRC on 29 June 1941. He then continued to 20 OTU on 3 July 1941, 9 Sqn on 18 September 1941, and 15 Squadron on 4 November 1941. William sadly lost his life the following year on 3 March 1942. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/12569 (P366703/42) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/30 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/29 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 08-03-1942 |
End Date | 09-03-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Wyton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (61% moon) |
Operation | Essen- to bomb Krupps factories. Lead aircraft were fitted with Gee but despite this the target was not hit to any extent |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and crashed at Schalterbosch, Holland |