Mossop George - 2904 Cpl (A/Sgt) DCM, MM & BAR

George Mossop, Lucy
and Jack George Jnr

R.A.M.C. Motif

George Mossop - bottom row (centre)

The Division was involved in many of the major battles of the war, including:

• 1914. Mons, Le Cateau, Marne, Aisne, Messine, 1st Ypres (It is worth noting that by the end of these battles, roughly two-thirds of the British Expeditionary force were either dead, wounded or missing).
• 1915. 2nd Ypres
• 1916. Somme
• 1917. Arras, 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele)
• 1918 2nd Somme, Hindenberg Line, Advance in Picardy.

It is therefore likely that Mossop was involved in most of the biggest battles of WW1.

Georges passions in civvy street were canaries,dogs and horses so as he progressed through the French countryside any canaries found in empty houses ended up in his ambulance. He recalled during a lull in the fighting at Mons when all he could hear was the sound of the canaries singing. Rumours spread of angels singing quashed by George saying 'Angels be buggered,it was my canaries'.

During the four years he was gassed twice buried alive by a shell burst (saved by his pals) and had shrapnel removed from his back on the field. His major regret and his comrades was that it ended too soon he knew then they would be back.

Medals for Gallantry

• Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
• Military Medal (MM) & Bar
• 1914 Star with Clasp
• British Service
• Victory

Privates and NCO's could receive three medals for gallantry:

• Level 1, Victoria Cross
• Level 2 Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
• Level 3 Military Medal (MM)

In 1916 Mossop was awarded the MM. The London Gazette, Issue 29805, 27th Oct 1916 page 10482 records that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the military medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned:

Awarded to G. Mossop for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire or for individual or associated acts of bravery which were insufficient to merit the DCM.

Also in 1916, Mossop received the Bar to his MM. It was recorded similarly in the London Gazette Issue 29854, 8th Dec 1916, page 12059

Individual citations were not recorded for Level 3 awards. It is worth noting however that these medals were awarded during and just after the Battle of the Somme.

In 1919 Mossop was awarded the DCM. The Citation in the London Gazette of 16 January 1919 page 839 records:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Cambrai from 18th - 30th Sept 1918. In charge of bearers, he went up time after time by day and night to the R.A.P.s (Regimental Aid Posts) through heavy shellfire.

He narrowly missed the medal above the DCM as the officer that had recomended it had been killed before he could testify. He was awarded £20 with the DCM it would have been £100 otherwise. For the DCM after a major onslaught when the RAMC had too many injured to cope he enlisted the help of the German prisoners to carry back the wounded.

George in 1924

A family story states that when on leave for being gassed Lucy said his eyes looked like liver,she was walking down the High St with him in civvys. And some woman put a white feather on his back George found it amusing. The woman didn't as Lucy was a force of nature!.

Another family story states that George was very reluctant to wear his medals, even on Remembrance Day. At one, Lucy hid them in her handbag. He had to be dragged to church after the war and stated the roof would fall in if he did. She produced them outside the Church and went in making him put them on. As he walked down the aisle a piece of plaster landed on his head !!!

His widow received the Clasp to the 1914 Star in 1938. Another family story states that Lucy only applied for it as some idiot at the funeral said he hadn't won one!

Though Mossop survived the war, this is one of the most remarkable stories of a man from Eccleshall.

George died on 26th November 1937, his funeral was reported in a local newspaper.

The death of Mr. George Mossop has bereaved several well-known local families and severed a link with those associations which will for ever be remembered in connection with the outbreak of war. Few men who went with the Expeditionary Force earned greater distinction. He was at Mons with the 14th Field Ambulance, was awarded the D.C.M.; won the Military Medal and later had the bar added to it for conspicuous gallantry; and was then mentioned in despatches. He was badly wounded and gassed; he underwent a serious operation in the field. He returned to civil life, always to bear the disabilities of service. He was in the service of the County Corporation and was at the Council House on Thursday last. He died suddenly on Friday at his home, 33, Hall Road, in his 54th year.

Mr. Mossop was a native of Eccleshall and was a member of a well-known family of builders. He served with the R.A.M.C. and when war broke out he was attached to the Scots Greys, holding the rank of Sergeant. One of four brothers who served in the war, he was one of two who survived their wounds; two were killed.

Mrs. Mossop is the sister of Alderman A.T. Morris. There has been the greatest sympathy with her and her son and daughter.

The funeral at the Uplands on Wednesday was conducted by the Rev. T.E. Bird, D.D., Rector of St. Phillip's.

The mourners were: Mr. George Arthur Mossop (son); Mr Vincent Mossop and Mr. Frank Mossop (brothers); Mr. Fred Brown and Mr. V. Mossop (nephews); Alderman A.T. Morris, Mr. Ernest W. Morris (brothers-in-law); Mr. R. Davis, D.C.M., Mr. C.A. Howell, Mr. Will Cambell and Mr. R. Molineau.

Among those who attended were: Mr. A. Morrall and Mr. G. Burcomb (Birmingham Corporation Lighting Department), Mr. C. Connelly (Birmingham Corporation Social Club), Mr. J. Pritchard, Mr. G. Simpson, Mr. S.J. Bodley and Mr. S.W. Bridges (Drawing Office, Council House, Birmingham), Mr. C. Dye (Smethwick Education Offices).

There were wreaths from the following:

The widow, Jack and Molly (son and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Mason: 'In Remembrance of a Comrade from a Pal'; Mr. and Mrs. Mundy and family; Alderman and Mrs. Morris and family; Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Morris; Mr. Laurence Mossop; Neighbours of Hall Road and Manor Road; Mr. and Mrs. Will Campbell, twins and Dorothy; Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Morris; Birmingham Public Lighting Department Social Society; Mr. and Mrs. L. Morris; Mr. and Mrs. A. Godfrey; Mr. and Mrs. Webb and children (Manor Road); A Few Friends,. 'The Queen's Head.' Broomfield; Birmingham Corporation Drawing Office, Town Planning Department and Bridge Office; Miss Betty Smith; Mr. and Mrs. J. Harris; Mr. and Mrs. Probert; Dave. Violet and Cis, members of the Staff. Beacon Cinema, Smethwick; Miss M. Mossop and Mrs. Jackson; Miss Francis Oldham; Mr. and Mrs. F. Oldham and Beatty; Mr. and Mrs. F. Mossop and Helen; Mr. and Mrs. V. Mossop and family; Smethwick Branch British Legion; Friends of the 'Holly Bush' (Bar No. 1; No. 2 bar and Smoke Room).