Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born: 25 November 1912, Liverpool, England

9 years English Council School; passed scholarship and attended College
for 18 months.

Imigrated to Australia in 1909, from West Derby LAN ENG, onboard Athenic,
1927  arrived into Sydney, New South Wales

NOK:  Gwyneth Moser

Worked for 7 years as a Mechanic with various firms.

Described on enlisting as 27yrs 2mths old; single; 5' 6" tal; 128 lbs;
medium complexion; grey eyes; brown hair; Church of England.

22/4/1940       enlisted into RAAF, at Coonamble, NSW
                      place of enlisting, Sydney, NSW
                      Trainee Mechanic

22/4/1940       posted to No.4 ST Adelaide

26/5/1940       posted to No.1 Engineers School, Ascot Vale

17/8/1940       posted to 22 Squadron, Richmond, Victoria

18/8/1940       Flight Mechanic
20/12/1941     Fitter

20/2/1942       embarked from Sydney for UK
28/3/1942       disembarked into UK
                      appointed to 10 Squadron

1/3/1943         Flight Engineer

27/8/1943        Awarded  "Distinguished Flying Medal"

Flying Officer 205785 Reginald William Stuart Gross and Sergeants 14611 Moser and 62956 Rhys Frederick Owen were navigator, armourer/air gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft Captained by Flying Officer 416164 Basil Alfred Williams detailed for a flight in August 1943.  Whilst over the Bay of Biscay the aircraft was attacked by 7 enemy aircraft.   In the ensuing engagement, which lasted an hour, Flying Officer Williams fought with great skill and determination.  The aircraft was repeatedly hit and when the inter-communication system was putout of action, Flying Officer Gross, though wounded, did everything he could to keep his Captain informed of the enemy’s tactics.    The starboard main petrol tank was pierced and Sergeant Moser crawled into the mainplane and attempted to stop the leak.

He afterwards manned the galley gun, relieving Sergeant Owen who had fought with great resolution and remained at his post although wounded in the knee by cannon fire, and assisted in frustrating many attacks.  Flying Officer Williams succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft to base being greatly assisted by Flying Officer Gross, whose navigation in difficult circumstances was of a high order.  In the face of trying circumstances these members of the aircraft crew displayed great courage, skill and determination.

(By  416164 Flying Officer Basil Alfred Williams and 285147 Flying Officer Reginald William Stuart Gross DFC.)

24/4/1945      on completion of operational tour, reverts to Fitter 2E and reclassified
                     to the rank of Corporal

13/10/1945     appointed to Corporal in 11 Personnel Depot and Receiving Centre, in UK

28/11/1945     disembarked into Sydney, NSW
                      appointed to 2PD

27/3/1946      discharged from service

Medals:          1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence; War; ASM; RAS;
                     Distinguished Flying Medal

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  8/6/2016.  Lest we forget.