Cudgegong Valley History Project

Obituary

Death

The death occurred in tragic circumstances at her residence in Fitzroy Street, last Monday of Mrs. Cross, wife of Mr. James Cross. the funeral is to take place today (Wednesday).

Obituary

Mr. James Cross

The recent death of Mr. James Cross removes from the town and whose name had been noticeably associated with that area nearly 86 years for he was born at Black Lead some 5 years after the discovery of payable gold in Gulgong by the late Mr. Thomas Saunders. His father the late Mr. James Cross conducted a Hotel at Black Lead in that area's earliest days. His father also operated a gold puddling machine in his earliest years and Jim took up mining in his earliest days. Later he took up carpentry as an employee of a local well known and highly skilled building contractor Mr. Mat Bennett eventually becoming a contractor himself. He was the last member of the original Cross family. Over 35 years ago he built a house for himself in Fitzroy Street, on a site on which M. Russell, hotel licensee, used to run cows which were kept to supply milk to the hotel, which stood on the present site in Mayne Street of the White Cafe and Mr. Harold Adams’ shop. Deceased passed away in the District Hospital, where he was a patient for eight days. Not long ago he returned to town after being a patient at Cabramatta for seven months. The late Mr. Cross is survived by a son, Mr. James Cross, of Wilbetree Street, and a daughter, Mrs. Jean Arnold, of Sydney, to whom sympathy is extended. The funeral took place to the Church of England portion of the Gulgong cemetery, Rev. John Woodhouse officiating.

Obituary

Mr. Raymond James Cross The death occurred on Wednesday at Gulgong District Hospital of Mr. Raymond James Cross (known as Jim), aged 65. Mr. Cross resided in Wilbertree Street, Gulgong. His funeral will leave St. Luke’s Church of England at Gulgong after a service at 3 p.m. today for the Gulgong Cemetery. Eastaugh and Carroll, Funeral Directors of Mudgee, Rylstone, Gulgong, Dunedoo and Kandos are in charge of arrangements.

Obituary

Mr. James Cross

The death of Mr. Raymond James (Jim) Cross at the age of 65 years after a long illness, sadly removed from the Gulgong scene one of its most likeable and colourful characters and former businessman. Mr. Cross died on February 22 and a large representative crowd at his funeral spoke of the esteem with which he and his family were held in the district. He was the son of the late James and Mary Cross and is survived by his wife and two daughters, Joan (Mrs. L. Monks, Gulgong) and June, (Mrs. Fred. Lane, Gulgong). For many years Mr. Cross conducted a Shoe Repair Shop in Mayne St. and was known throughout the district, not only for his workmanship, but for his understanding nature when times were financially much harder on families than they are today. Mr. Cross was interested from a youth in Band music and participated in the organisation of many of Gulgong’s Brass Bands. He was also a member of a Dance Orchestra and during the War he and his daughter were responsible for keeping alive the regular Saturday dances held in the old Town Hall, (now the Ulan County Headquarters). Many young and old residents of the district have grateful reminiscences of his part in this. For many years, Mr. Cross was relied upon to sound the Last Post and Reveille at the Anzac Observances and at the graveside of many Returned Soldiers, and some years ago received a token in recognition and appreciation of these services. A few years before his retirement, Mr. Cross was employed with the N.S.W. Railways. Afterwards he continued his interest in the town and carried out the duties of casual gardener to various private homes. The appearance of one of these gardens, that of Dr. G. Fletcher, last year was itself a tribute to Mr. Cross’ interest and labour during one of the State’s worst droughts. A member of one of Gulgong’s pioneering families, with his kindly manner, his colourful sense of humour, his memory of events, places and people in the gradual development of the history of the district, Mr. Cross will be remembered for his contribution to the town and to its legend as one of its colourful residents.