Ulric Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ulric Cross
DSO DFC
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Cross as shown in a 1944 documentary about the West Indies
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| Birth name | Philip Louis Ulric Cross |
| Nickname(s) | Black Hornet |
| Born | 1 May 1917 Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Died | 4 October 2013 (aged 96) Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–47 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 133060 |
| Commands held | No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Children |
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Philip Louis Ulric Cross (May 1, 1917 – October 4, 2013) was a brave pilot, a smart lawyer, and a diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago. He is known as one of the most decorated Caribbean heroes of World War II. He helped save about 200 planes from being shot down during a bombing mission in Germany in 1943. After the war, he studied law and had an important career as a judge and diplomat in Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ulric Cross was born on May 1, 1917, in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was the second of nine children. When he was 11, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to attend St Mary's College for free.
When he was 13, his mother passed away. This made it hard for him to focus on school. After five years, he left college. His first job was helping to edit the Trinidad Guardian newspaper. Later, he worked for a lawyer. At 21, he joined the government service, working for the Trinidad Government Railway.
Heroic Service in World War II
In 1941, at age 24, Ulric Cross left Trinidad. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Britain. He was young, loved adventure, and wanted to help. He served as a navigator during World War II. He became a Squadron Leader, a high rank.
In June 1944, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. In January 1945, he earned the Distinguished Service Order. These awards recognized his dedication and amazing navigation skills.
Cross was part of the special Pathfinder Force. This group found ways to bomb targets very accurately. He flew 80 missions over Germany and Europe. He was a navigator in a fast Mosquito fighter-bomber. He even inspired a character in the book Hornet Flight.
Distinguished Legal Career
After the war, Ulric Cross studied law. He became a lawyer in London in 1949. He then returned to Trinidad. From 1949 to 1953, he advised the government on trade. He also taught law at the University of the West Indies.
Later, he worked for the BBC in London. He helped produce radio shows, including Caribbean Voices. His career then took him to Africa. He practiced law in Ghana, Cameroon, and Tanzania for many years.
In Ghana (1958–1960), he worked closely with Kwame Nkrumah. Cross was a Crown Counsel, which is a government lawyer. He also taught criminal law. In Cameroon (1960–1966), he became a Senior Crown Counsel and Attorney General. He was even part of the Cabinet. In 1967, Cross became a High Court judge in Tanzania. He also taught law at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Cross returned to Trinidad in 1971. He served as a High Court judge. In 1979, he became a judge in the Court of Appeal. He also led the Law Reform Commission from 1982 to 1983. He helped update and improve the country's laws. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said his judgments "changed the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago."
Diplomatic Roles
From 1990 to 1993, Ulric Cross served as High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago in the United Kingdom. This meant he was the country's top representative there. He also served as Ambassador to Germany and France at the same time. Before this, in 1983, he was chosen to lead the Commonwealth Foundation.
Community Service
In 1993, Ulric Cross helped start the Cotton Tree Foundation (CTF). This charity helps people in poor areas of Port-of-Spain. It offers counseling, education, and training. The goal is to fight poverty and unemployment.
On his 90th birthday in 2007, a special fund was created in his name. This fund helps the Cotton Tree Foundation do even more. It supports a legal aid clinic, sports programs, and art and music classes.
Cross also served as president of the Royal Air Forces Association in Trinidad and Tobago. He led the group from 2009 until his death in 2013. He worked to build a special complex for all military veterans.
Awards and Honours
Ulric Cross received many awards. In 2011, he got the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This is the highest award in his country, given for excellent service in law. Also in 2011, the Piarco Air Station was renamed the Ulric Cross Air Station.
In July 2011, the President of Trinidad and Tobago gave him the first Heroes Foundation medallion. In 2012, a comic book about his life was published. It was called And Justice For All, The True Story Of A Local Hero.
His amazing life is also shown in a movie. The film is called Hero: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life and Times of Mr. Ulric Cross. It was released in 2019 and won several international awards.
Personal Life
Ulric Cross had two daughters, Nicola Cross and Susan Woodford-Hollick. He also had a son, Richard Finch.
Death
Ulric Cross passed away on October 4, 2013, at the age of 96. He died at his home in Port of Spain. A memorial service was held for him on October 10, 2013. The British High Commissioner said that without help from servicemen like Cross, World War II would have ended very differently.
On February 8, 2014, another tribute was held in London. The High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago spoke. He said that Ulric Cross served his country and worked for justice around the world. He called Cross a great role model.
Selected Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 1944
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 1945
- Order of Merit – First Class, Federal Republic of Cameroon
- Order of Valour, Federal Republic of Cameroon
- Chaconia Gold Medal, Trinidad & Tobago, 1983
- Honorary Doctorate of Law, University of the West Indies, 1993
- Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 2011
