Mervyn Wallace Cross
Born 16 Apr 1917
- Service number
- WWII 32358 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Mervyn Wallace AWMM
- Surname
- Cross AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- WWII 32358 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- —
- Religion
- —
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 16 Apr 1917 AWMM
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Pre 1940-1941 AWMM Care of G. Blackwood, 65 Signal Hill Rd., Dunedin AWMM
- WW2 Pre 1941 AWMM C/o G. Blackwood, 65 Signal Hill Road, Dunedin AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs. O. Cross, Warepa (mother) AWMM
- WW2 Mrs. O. Cross, Warepa (m) AWMM
- Relationship status
- —
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 32358 AWMM
- Military service
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
24 Sep 1942 AWMM
The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Cross, Mervyn Wallace. (Ref. WO 373/21/313). Military Medal. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Coronation Medal ER 1953 AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Farmer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Sergeant AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
- —
- Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Captain M. W. Cross, MM; Palmerston North; born Balclutha, 16 Apr 1917; farmer; patrol commander LRDG 1943–44; OC Recce Gp 20 Armd Regt 1944–45. (Source: Kay, R. 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. p.185.)
'‘During the covering shoot,’ says Cato, ‘the six guns [those supporting A, B, and C Companies] together were on a hundred yard front and … had the majority of the terrific enemy arty barrages. The men were great, keeping their guns going throughout the whole show.’ An attempt was made to get a section forward to C Company in two Bren carriers, but they were driven back and one carrier had a track blown off. The men and equipment returned undamaged. Later four guns were taken forward in three carriers and two trucks. Cross took his section to help A Company consolidate at Point 154. Major Dyer, CO 28 Battalion, reports that ‘Sergeant Cross of the machine gunners here behaved heroically, maintaining the defence and succouring the wounded during the day’' (Source: Kay, R. 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. pp. 185-7.)
Member of New Zealand’s official 135-strong Coronation Contingent for the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which sailed to the United Kingdom aboard HMNZS Black Prince, in company with HMAS Sydney as an “Anzac Squadron.” The contingent marched in the coronation procession, mounted guard at Buckingham Palace, and RNZN personnel took part in the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead. AWMM
About death
- Death
- —
- Date of death
- 1 January 1966Public - Harvey - Direct descendant - 12 February 2023 - Family history book written by Alexa Cross (Mervyn's sister in law)
- Age at death
- 49Public - Harvey - Direct descendant - 12 February 2023 - Family history book
- Place of death
- Lake TaupoPublic - Harvey - Direct descendant - 12 February 2023 - Family history book
- Cause of death
- Drowned in a boating accidentPublic - Harvey - Direct descendant - 12 February 2023 - Family history book
- Death notes
- —
- Cemetery
- —
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 24 September 1942, p.4157.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35715/supplements/4157
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Cross, Mervyn Wallace. (Ref. WO 373/21/313). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7359645
Further Reference - Pringle, D., & Glue, W. (1957). 20 Battalion and Armoured Regiment. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210222122055/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-20Ba.html
Further Reference
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 24 September 1942, p.4157.). Military Medal.
- References
- Kay, R. (1958). 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.185-7, 238-9, 243. - Pringle, D., & Glue, W. (1957). 20 Battalion and Armoured Regiment. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.447, 457-8, 468, 483-4, 496-9. - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
p.107 - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
p.83 - Nominal rolls - Embarkation rolls B-force 8th infantry brigade group [New Zealand Military Forces - "B" Force - Embarkation Roll]. Archives New Zealand, Wellington, AAYS 8638 AD1/1421 (R22440171)
- Gillespie, O. (1952). The Pacific. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Coronation Medals 1953 - Nominal Roll. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R21681744)
- Kay, R. (1958). 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
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