Private Harry Cross
291396 1/8th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Killed in Action 19/4/1917
in Mesopotamia, aged 20
Lived at 13 Cotton Street
Commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel
Commemorated on the Holy Trinity Memorial
Burnley Express 19th May 1917 - 19th May 1917

YOUNG ORDERLY KILLED (Burnley Express 19th May 1917)

The sad news published today of the death in action of Pte. Harry Cross, 1416, Scottish Rifles, coincides with the anniversary of the death of his bosom companion, Pte. Albert Graham, whose portrait appeared in the “Express” a year ago. Pte. Cross, who was only 20 years of age, and the fourth son of Mr. & Mrs. Cross, of 13, Cotton-street, Whittlefield, was in the Lewis Gun Section of the Scottish Rifles battalion out with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. News has been received that he was killed in action on April 19th, and as he had been out since January 1916, he has seen much fighting. Although so young, Pte. Cross enlisted on August 20, 1915, previous to which he was a weaver at Burrows’ mill, Whittlefield. He was connected with St. Oswald Mission, and played football with the mission team. He was his officer’s orderly, and was very much esteemed by that gentleman. All the four sons have joined the forces; of the other three one is know in France, a second is in training in Scotland, and the third has been discharged from the Army.
Thursday this week was the anniversary of the death of his greatest boy friend, Pte. Albert Graham. They enlisted in the Scottish rifles at the same time, and both trained at Nigg Camp. While Pte. Graham was in Cromarty Military Hospital suffering from rheumatism, Pte. Cross was sent to Egypt, whereas as soon as Pt. Graham was better he was drafted out to France and had only been there nine weeks when he was fatally wounded on May 17th 1916 so the news of Pte. Cross comes exactly a year afterwards. Pte. Albert Graham was 20 years of age and was the youngest son of Mrs. Graham of 29, Tunnel-street, Burnley. He also attended St. Oswald’s Sunday school and was a member of their football team. He was, too, a member of the Burnley Swimming Club. Much sympathy was felt for Mrs. Graham, who had her share of tragedy, her husband being killed by his runaway horse and her youngest baby being drowned. She has still two married sons serving with the colours.