1093313 Pte Elias Howard Cross, 15th Bn CEF (48th Highlanders of Canada).
Born at Norwood, Ontario on 19 October 1898, Elias was a teamster by trade at the time of his enlistment. Enlisting at Tweed, Ontario on 3 February 1917 into the 254th Overseas Bn CEF, he was in France by the end of the summer, serving with the 15th Bn.CEF. He played a part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele not too long after his arrival with the battalion.
Elias was the only casualty for the battalion on 23 December 1917 when he was killed during the relief of his battalion from the front line in the Lens left Sector. Located in an advanced post, he was killed by machine-gun fire whilst returning to the British front line after being relieved. Elias is now buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers au Bois.
23 December 1917
Research by David O'Mara, Croonaert Research Services.
