Funeral held for Portchester veteran, 95, a Second World War pilot turned sweet shop owner

More than 50 people have paid their respects at the funeral for John ‘Jack’ Cross, a decorated Second World War pilot and much-loved sweet shopper owner in Southsea.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 6th Mar 2020, 06:00 BST
Updated 6th Mar 2020, 09:48 BST
John Cross was an RAF pilot in the Second World War - suffering two memorable crashes.John Cross was an RAF pilot in the Second World War - suffering two memorable crashes.
John Cross was an RAF pilot in the Second World War - suffering two memorable crashes.

Family members and loved-ones attended the service at Portchester Crematorium on Friday March 5, with the Reverand Colin Noyce recounting Jack’s ‘many adventures.’

Born April 9, 1924, in Hammersmith, London, Jack became an RAF pilot at the age of 18, flying Hurricanes in South Africa and Myanmar.

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His days in a cockpit provided two of his favourite stories – recounting his crash landings, according to Rev Noyce.

John Kenneth Cross in his RAF uniform.John Kenneth Cross in his RAF uniform.
John Kenneth Cross in his RAF uniform.

The first crash saw him follow his squadron commander in attempting a loop only to make a seaborne landing, and the Imperial War Museum has displayed a picture of his other crash, which occurred when his plane suffered an engine failure.

But both times he walked away unharmed.

He carried a happy-go-lucky attitude throughout his life, according to several family members who spoke at the service.

His nephew Geoff Stockwell said: ‘He was cross by name, but not by nature.’

John Kenneth Cross was remembered as a dedicated family man by loved-ones at his funeral at Portchester Crematorium.John Kenneth Cross was remembered as a dedicated family man by loved-ones at his funeral at Portchester Crematorium.
John Kenneth Cross was remembered as a dedicated family man by loved-ones at his funeral at Portchester Crematorium.
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Stuart Clarkson, another nephew, agreed: ‘I never knew Uncle Jack not be up for a laugh.’

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It was a disposition well-suited to his professions after his war service, family members said, with the former pilot becoming the landlord of a pub in Kent and then the owner of Carlton’s Sweet Shop in Kent Street, Southsea. From 1961 to 1972, he ran the shop with his wife, Dorothy, who died in 2005.

Daughter Sue Wokersien said: ‘I hope people remember him as a happy, loving man – and a real gentleman.’

Jack sat his A-Levels in his 40’s, allowing him to take a job at HM Customs and Excise.

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Granddaughter Lexa Wokersien said: ‘I hope that people remember him with love. He was a man who loved and was dedicated to his family.

‘Three years ago he said to me ‘never wait for what’s around the corner – because you should grab it now.’

‘He lived by that saying – he was full of life.’

On his retirement, he moved to Portchester in 1988, using his free time to found the Portsmouth branch of the Burma Star Association and become a Witness Support Volunteer within the Crown Prosecution Service. He moved to Exmouth to be closer to his family in 2012.

John Kenneth Cross died on Sunday February 16 at the Manor Lodge Care Home, in Portland Avenue, Exmouth.

Related topics:PortchesterSouthseaPortchester Crematorium