Frederick Mervyn Cross
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Jun 1908 |
| Place of Birth | Bedfordale, Western Australia |
| Death | 8 Jun 1996, aged 87 |
| Place of Death | Kalamunda, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 33 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'7" (1.70m) tall ; 147lbs 66.678 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Carpenter / boat builder |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | 25 Napier street, Claremont, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Amy Winifred Cross |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 46134 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Dec 1941 |
| Rank | Leading Aircraftman |
| Unit/Formation | No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1937 at 'Runnymede', Bedfordale, orchardist. Fred served a 4 year Carpenter/Joiner apprenticeship with Bunning Bros.
During 1938 Fred married Amy Winifred Ledger in Perth. Their son Graeme Frederick was born on 26 Jan 1939. Amy died on 23 Mar 1996 aged 86. He had served a 4 year apprenticeship with Bunning Bros.
War Service
Fred enlisted in the RAAF at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre on 17 Dec 1941 as an Aircraftman I Carpenter and was sent to the No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF at Pearce to undertake the P139 Recruit Drill Course from 17 Dec 41 until 9 Jan 1942. On 15 Jan 1942 he was posted to Station HQ RAAF Base Pearce and early on he seems to have move from one unit to another, perhaps on small one off repair jobs before being detached to the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF. Fred's detachment ended on 26 May 1942 and he returned to the HQ RAAF Base Pearce where on 16 Jun 1942 he was appointed as a Leading Aircraftman.
On 11 Aug 1942 Fred was transferred to the No. 1 Engineering School RAAF at Ascot Vale in Victoria. Training as a Carpenter/Rigger completed he was then remustered as a Carpenter Rigger, and on 22 Nov 1942 as a result of the reclassification, reverted to Aircraftman. Fred was then posted to the No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Mallala in South Australia on 27 Nov 1942 where on 16 Mar 1943 he was again appointed as a Leading Aircraftman. While based at Mallala for more than 2 years, the longest period of leave he was granted was 8 days plus travel time of 5 more days to return to WA on one occasion.
On 21 Jun 1945 Fred was transferred to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF for transfer to the RAAF Reserve on 22 Jun 1945, despite him not volunteering to do so. He was more formally discharged on 23 Dec 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 - 1972 at 25 Napier street, Nedlands, carpenter; 1977 - 1980 at 18 Petunia street, Kalamunda, retired.
Notes