Gosport’s cricketing centurion Ron Cross inducted into Wisden Cricket Monthly’s ‘Hall of Fame’

Gosport cricketing centurion Ron Cross MBE has been inducted into the Wisden Cricket Monthly’s ‘Hall of Fame.’
D-Day veteran Ron Cross MBE has been honoured by Wisden Cricket Monthly. Picture: Sarah StandingD-Day veteran Ron Cross MBE has been honoured by Wisden Cricket Monthly. Picture: Sarah Standing
D-Day veteran Ron Cross MBE has been honoured by Wisden Cricket Monthly. Picture: Sarah Standing

The honour comes just a few weeks after he celebrated his 100th birthday in June.

During his playing days for Gosport CC, Ron opened the batting and bowled off spin.

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He has been associated with Gosport Borough ever since the club was formed in 1966 following a merger of Gosport and Gosport Amateurs.

Ron coached junior sides right up until he was 80, as well as being fixtures secretary for many years - all done by post since he was without a home telephone!

During the war, he served in the Royal Engineers’ 79th Armoured Division and was one of the first battalions to land on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day - June 6, 1944.

Ron and his fellow troops cleared the way for Allied tanks to land in those first few critical hours and days, shortly before his 24th birthday.

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Expected to lose 75 per cent of its men, there was not a single casualty in 79th Division, which stayed together until the end of the war.

Four years ago, France awarded Ron its highest military award, the Légion d’honneur, for his part in their liberation.

After being discharged in 1946, he worked in the Occupational Therapy department at the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar for 37 years - his work there earning him an MBE.

It is perhaps his 35 years as an umpire - and trainer of umpires on the South Coast Panel - for which he is best known.

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He umpired in the early days of the Southern League and in regular Hampshire 2nd XI games, and also in the 1983 National Knockout final at Lord’s.

Ron has a commemorative bench named in his honour at Gosport Borough CC’s ground at Privett Park.