Sydney CROSS

29 January 1915

CLAPHAM – Recruiting

Messrs. Arthur Constantine, Sydney Cross, and Harold Camm have joined the Royal Field Artillery. They left the village last Friday for Carlisle, whence they were transferred to Newcastle. There are now fifteen ‘old boys’ of Clapham School who have joined the colours.

31 December 1915

CLAPHAM – Gifts for Clapham Soldiers

The soldiers of Clapham and its immediate districts have not been forgotten as a parcel of comforts has been dispatched to each one to remind him that the home fires are kept burning. – Lance-Corporals J. Camm and F. Constantine and Bomb. J. Drummond have been over for short leave during Christmas. – Writing home from Mudros West, Lemnos, Pte. Sidney Cross says he is in hospital suffering from frozen feet. Referring to the hardships Pte. Cross says that he does not wish to go through them again. Continuing, he says:– “It is not the Turks we have to contend with so much as the weather. The rain comes down in torrents. We were up to our thighs in water for two days and nights and to make matters worse it began to freeze. I lost everything in the way of equipment, and had nothing except what I stood up in. I even lost my boots and overcoat, and had to walk to the beach in my stocking feet, which did not improve matters. I have nothing whatever to grumble at, having very good food, after biscuits and bully diet."

04 August 1916

CLAPHAM – ECHOES OF THE GREAT PUSH

Pte. Sidney Cross, ‘B’ Company 6th Platoon, 9th Royal Fusiliers, was wounded on July 7th in France. Word to this effect has been sent to his mother. No particulars are to hand as to his whereabouts, and although enquiries have been made to headquarters nothing satisfactory was gained.

18 August 1916

CROSS – July 7th, killed in action in France, Pte. Sidney Cross, 9th Royal Fusiliers, of Clapham, Yorkshire.

18 August 1916

CLAPHAM – FEARED LOSS OF PRIVATE SIDNEY CROSS

In reply to enquiries regarding the whereabouts of Pte. Sidney Cross, 9th Royal Fusiliers, who took part in the action of July 7th, the following letter has been received by his mother.

“Dear Madam, – “The commanding officer has given me your letter, and I very much regret to have to inform you that I can find no trace of your son, Pte. Cross, and feel that there is little or no doubt that he died of wounds or was killed in ‘No Man’s Land’, the ground between the German and our lines, during the attack made by this battalion on the 7th of July. The attack was very successful, but unfortunately our battalion – which was magnificent – has to mourn the loss of many fine officers and men. Your son was among the first to leave the trenches in the charge and behaved with great gallantry throughout.

“With deepest sympathy, Yours faithfully, E.W.T. BECK, Capt.”

15 June 1917

CLAPHAM – MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday afternoon a memorial service was held in St. James’ Church for local soldiers who have fallen in battle. A large congregation assembled, amongst whom were relatives of the heroes and many were visibly affected by the solemnity of the occasion. A special form of service was used including the lesson from 1. Cor. xv. 20 – ‘Now is Christ risen from the dead,’ and Psalm 39 was chanted by the choir. Mr. Goddard Barker, A.R.C.O., gave as voluntaries ‘Marche Funebre’ (Beethoven), ‘But the Lord is mindful of His own’ (Mendelssohn), and ‘Marche Funebre’ (Chopin), and Miss A. Harrison feeling[ly] sang ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ (Carey). The hymns were ‘Jesu, Lover of my soul’ and ‘Lead, Kindly Light.’ Canon Rawdon Briggs preached a touching sermon from 1. Philippians, 23rd verse – ‘To depart and to be with Christ, which is far better,’ and in the course of his remarks said that was an occasion when the people were met to commemorate the sacredness of those dear ones who had fallen in battle. Their words and thoughts were with those who are asleep in the future beyond. There is no death, as the term is only a step into a larger and fuller life beyond. Life is one stage, a kindergarten or preparatory school and the Church states there is no death only a gateway, a closing of the eyes here and opening them there. Those near and dear heroes are moved on to another state. Their lives have not been wasted but developed to higher ones. They should be remembered in people’s prayers, for they are serving on the other side of the grave. In conclusion Canon Briggs quoted the verse:–

He is not dead the child of your affection,
But gone into another school;
Where he no longer needs your protection,
For Christ Himself doth rule.