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Dr. George Bond Cross was born at Trinity, Newfoundland 15 June 1889, the
son of John Cross and Mary Ann Lewis Cross. He was educated at Trinity and the
Methodist College in St. John’s, Newfoundland where he attained, what was
then known as Senior Matriculation.
Upon graduation he joined the staff of the Royal Bank of Canada where he
rendered five years of faithful service before resigning his position to
pursue his long cherished ambition to become a Medical Doctor.
Dr. Cross commenced his medical studies in Montreal at the renowned McGill
University, graduating in 1918 with the degrees M.D., C.M. Upon completing his
studies he immediately enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. and served
overseas as a Commissioned Medical Officer until the end of the First World
War.
He was retained in the Medical Corps. long after the Armistice to assist in
the demobilization of the servicemen, many who suffered injuries in the final
days of the war and required extensive medical care.
In 1920 he was successful in the Dominion Council Examinations of the Medical
Council of Canada and received his L.M.C.C With this designation he was
licensed to practice medicine anywhere in the Dominion of Canada, becoming one
of the very few Newfoundland doctors to achieve this status at this time.
Dr. Cross then returned to his native Newfoundland to set up a medical
practice at Brooklyn, Bonavista Bay. In 1925 he moved his practice to
Clarenville, Trinity Bay serving the people of Clarenville and surrounding
area until he retired in 1956.
Dr. Cross was involved in various aspects of community life. He was the
Justice of Peace for the area, worked closely with the Newfoundland Ranger
Force and later the RCMP, served on school boards, and was a member of the
Independent Order of Oddfellows. He was also a member of the Newfoundland
Medical Association and was very active in the Association’s formative
years.
During the early days of his practice in the Trinity Bay area, Dr. Cross used
many modes of travel to serve the medical needs of the public. He traveled by
small open boat, horse and sleigh, dog team and railway speeder to isolated
communities in the area.
From his well equipped surgery he compounded and dispensed the medically
needed pharmaceutical drugs for his patients. He was often assisted in his
practice by his wife, the former Carrie Oldford of Musgravetown, who quickly
acquired the necessary nursing skills to assist in the many emergencies that
arose throughout the years.
Dr. Cross retired in 1956 and moved with his wife, Carrie Oldford, to St.
John’s where their three daughters and families were living at the time.
They resided in St. John’s until his death 12 August 1964.
White, Florence M. & Miller, James
Gender: Male
People: Single
Type: Image
Work: Military
General: Formal Portrait, Military, World War I
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