HERBERT FRANK MOSS
Herbert is remembered on the war memorial at Northgate High School. Formerly Ipswich Grammar School for Boys.
Born: 1887, East Bergholt, Suffolk.
Confirmation: 25th November 1917, at the Parish Church of St. George, Enfield, Middlesex.
Died: 30th August 1918; age: 31; KiA.
Residence: Enfield Lock, Middlesex.
Occupation: Civil Servant – Accountant – General Dept., Whitehall.
Date of Entry Therein: 22nd September 1916 – France.
Rank: Second Lieutenant; Service Number: 79579.
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery, 132 Heavy Battery.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
- C.10.
Hem-Monacu,
France.
CENSUS
1891 Cemetery Road, East Bergholt, Suffolk.
Herbert was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
William Moss, 47, a Cab Proprietor – employer, born East Bergholt.
Alice Moss (nee Carr), 48, born Weasenham St. Peter, Norfolk.
Alice Moss, 22, a Domestic Servant, born East Mersea, Essex.
Charles Timothy Moss, 15, born Brantham, Suffolk.
Katharine Harriet Moss, 18, born Brantham.
Margaret Maria Moss, 11, born Brantham – died 1899, East Bergholt.
Ann Mildred Moss, 9, born Brantham.
1 visitor.
1901 The Courtyard, The Street, East Bergholt, Suffolk.
Herbert was 13 years old and living with his father, step mother & step siblings.
William, 54, a Cab Proprietor & Cart Contractor – employer – at home.
Lucy Moss (nee Pinkney), 42, born Stutton, Suffolk.
Dorothy Lucy Moss, 4, born East Bergholt.
Edward Henry Moss, 3, born East Bergholt.
Arthur Allan Moss, 2, born Bergholt.
1911 23, Ashwell Grove, Upper Edmondton, Middlesex.
Herbert was 23 years old, a Civil Servant – Accountant – General Dept., Whitehall. He was living with his sister and her family.
George Garnham, 43, a Cowman – Strand Union Schools, born Tattingstone, Suffolk.
Alice Garnham (nee Moss), 42.
George Garnham, 17, a Van Guard – Great Eastern Railways, born Edmonton.
Gertrude Garnham, 14, born Edmonton.
Herbert was educated at Ipswich Grammar School for Boys.
Herbert’s mother, Alice Moss died 1893, East Bergholt.
On the 15th July 1916, at the Parish Church of St. George, Enfield, 28 year old, Herbert, a Bombardier, for the Royal Garrison Artillery, married 28 year old, Olive Hilda Hills, born July 1887, Grays, Essex, of 34, Uckfield Road, Enfield.
Herbert’s medals were sent to his widow, Olive Moss, of 6, Broomwood Road, Wandsworth Common, S.W.11.
Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Olive Hilda Moss – widow.
Probate to Olive Hilda Moss – widow.
Herbert’s step brother, Arthur Allan Moss also lost his life during the First World War. Arthur was a Groom, aged 17 years & 11 months old when he attested on the 13th October 1916, at Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He was 5ft 8 1/4ins in height and mobilised 0n the 29th April 1917. Arthur, of Little Acton, Wrexham, North Wales, was ranked a Private, service number 101280, for the Machine Gun Corps – Cavalry. Arthur drowned on the 31st December 1917, aboard H.T. ‘Osmanieh’ when she hit a German mine at Alexandria. The body was discovered 13th January 1918 and taken to the 21st General Hospital, Alexandria. Laid to rest at Alexandria (Hadra) War memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He had served 1 year & 80 days. Parents William & Lucy, of Livery Stables, East Bergholt.
The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) ordinated from fixed positioned heavy artillery batteries, defending fortresses and coastal defences. The large calibre guns became of use during WW1, as the war became more static. The large guns could be moved to the front, being fired behind the lines causing major destruction on the enemies’ trenches and strong positions. Being large heavy Howitzers, they were susceptible to counter fire. Once fired, their position was given away, opposed to the lighter guns of the Royal Artillery’s “shot and scoots” and rapid redeployment. Many RGA men were killed while removing the guns from their firing positions.
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