Default not cascading

[Girkers]

I have a number of sub items dependant on item 1, which I have made default, but I have item 1 not selected.

E.g.

Item 1

|_ Item 2

|_ Item 3

Item 1 is not selected and I have items 2 and 3 dependent on item 1. When I select item 1, items 2 & 3 do not get selected. I thought by having them set to default, when Item 1 became active, it would automatically select Items 2 & 3.

Is this by desing or just a small over sight?