The British War Medal awarded to Lieutenant J. H. Cross, Royal Flying Corps, a D.H.2 pilot who served with 32 Squadron, and who was shot down by the German Ace Leutnant Ernst Baron von Stenglin on 11 March 1917. Cross was later involved in a ‘dog fight’ with three Pour le Mérite winners on 21 March 1917, which ultimately led to the death of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia

British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. J. H. Cross. R.F.C.) very fine £100-£140

John Hassall Cross was born in Anfield, Liverpool, in November 1888. Prior to the Great War, Cross was employed as an Apprentice Naval Architect with Cammell Laird and also served as a Leading Seaman with the Mersey Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, from 1911 to 1914. He joined the 9th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in September 1914, and served in France with the Machine Gun Platoon from July 1915. Suffering from illness Cross returned to the UK in February 1916, and was posted to the 9th Officer Cadet Battalion in Scotland.

Cross volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps in July 1916, and carried out his initial training as pilot. He was posted for operational flying with 32 Squadron (D.H.2’s) based at Léalvillers, France, in January 1917.

On 11 March 1917, Cross took off with a patrol of six aircraft. Five of the six aircraft became casualties of pilots from Jastas 1, 5 and 12, when they were attacked by nine German Albatros. On the flight from the ambush, Cross was attacked by Leutnant Ernst Baron von Stenglin (a 6 ‘Victory’ Ace) from Jasta 1, and he crashed near Le Sars, where Stenglin claimed he had shot down a Vickers. The Combat Report for Cross in this action adds the following:

‘Pilot was attacked by hostile machine who dived at him from the side, he immediately turned towards them and fired upon one whereupon he turned in his previous direction, pilot was thus enabled to fire about 40 rounds at him at about 50 yards range, when he suddenly nose dived apparently out of control.’

Ten days later, on 21 March 1917, Cross was involved in the death of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia. A six-aircraft flight took off at 1515hrs on a Line Patrol - consisting of Captain Curphey, Lieutenant Pickthorn, Second Lieutenant’s Eccles, Gompartz, Howe and Cross. During the patrol Lieutenant Picthorn shot down Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia, who later died from his wounds. The Prince had been part of a five-aircraft patrol, which comprised of three Pour Le Mérite winners including Werner Voss.

On 22 April, Cross brought down an enemy aircraft but it was not confirmed. On 27 May 1917, doctors diagnosed Cross with flying fatigue. He had flown that morning and felt unwell. He had, by this stage, flown operationally for 150 hours. The doctor recommended complete rest and Cross was sent on Home Establishment four days later. The several months of daily operational flying were replaced by being a Ferry Pilot at Hendon. Cross’s last recorded flight was on 6 December 1917, by which time he had amassed some 400 flying hours.

Cross was no longer considered fit for flying, and as a consequence transferred to be employed by the Ministry of Shipbuilding, under the auspices of the Admiralty. After the War he was employed by the Furness Shipbuilding Company - first being a Naval Architect, and then progressing to become Managing Director of the company. Cross was awarded a Royal Humane Society’s Certificate for saving a person from drowning in Brighton in 1936. He continued in his capacity at the Furness Shipbuilding Company during the Second World War, and also served as a Major in command of the Furness Works Company, 19th Battalion, Stockton-on-Tees, Home Guard. Cross retired in 1958, having been employed by the company since 1918. In later life he resided in Brighton, where he died in 1971.

Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research and including photographic images of recipient in later life.