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Dr. George Bond Cross
1915
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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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 travelled 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.