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Auction: 19052 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction
Lot: 4

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Harry Cross, "Delhi." 13. Dec. 1911), suspension rod removed and modified with small loops to tips of suspension facilitating wear on chain, edge nick, otherwise good very fine

Harry Cross was born on 3 March 1887 at Doncaster. He joined the Royal Navy on 3 March 1903 giving his occupation as errand boy, and was serving as Signalman aboard H.M.S. London at the time of the wreck of the P. & O liner S.S. Delhi in December 1911. The Delhi had run aground near Cape Spartel, Morocco, and amongst the passengers were the Duke and Duchess of Fife (The Princess Royal) and their two daughters - which only gave further urgency to a grave situation.
For his services, Cross was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in bronze, his service papers noting, 'rendered meritorious service at wreck of S.S. Delhi, December 1911.' Promoted Leading Signalman on 1 September 1913, Cross served during the Great War aboard the battleship H.M.S. Commonwealth and the French battleship Paris. In May 1918 he was sentenced to 90 days' detention, reason not given, the sentence being suspended the next month. He was demobilised on 7 February 1919.


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