Harry Robert Thomas Cross was born at Manilla NSW on 18th September 1899.
In 1908 Harry helped his father drive a flock of 2000 sheep from the Halls Creek property near Manilla to Queensland. They settled on a property called Redbank 12 miles south west of Roma. Quite an achievement for a 9 year old lad. On confirmation of their arrival at Redbank, his mother, Ada Mercy Cross followed by train with his three sisters Hilda, Lilly and Ellen.
A teacher travelling by horse and buggy called at the homesteads in the district leaving school work for the parents to teach the children.
In 1913 the family moved to ‘West Prarie’ in the Jondaryan district. Harry helped his dad manage the property until the drought of 1918. The property was sold and the family moved to Toowoomba, where Harry became a motor car hirer.
On 23th April 1924 at Toowoomba Harry married Thelma Jane Crocker Goulburn NSW.
He joined the NSW railway at Goulburn in February 1926 eventually becoming a Guard Class 1 and was stationed at Werris Creek.
In November 1936 he was a member of the Port Waratah No 1 St John Ambulance Competitions Team, winners of the Faulding Cup.
Harry enlisted on 27th June 1940 at Tamworth. He was posted to the 7th Bn, then transferred to the 2/12th Field Ambulance on 24 November.
Sections of Cpl Harry Cross’ last letter to his parents, written the day before embarkation on Centaur. In the top section he said they had no idea of their destination, but didn’t think it would be far. In the bottom section he tells of having been given their ‘green togs’ (jungle greens) the previous day.