Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'GAVE AUSTRALIA THE NEWS, DESTRUCTION OF EMDEN.

Late Mr. W. H. Moss Fought in Three Wars.

Though he had served iri three wars, the late Mr. William Horace Moss, who died in Murwillumbah on Monday, came most into the limelight when he was the instrument through which the news of the destruction of the Emden by H.M.A.S. Sydney reached other than official quarters in Australia.

Owing to the press censorship, details had not been published when the late Mr. Moss, who was a member of the Sydney's crew, wrote to his brother, Len, in Murwillumbah, from Townsville, where the Sydney was coaling, and gave the full story. The "Tweed Daily" editor of the time realised it was a "scoop" and published the account. Though he had acted in good faith the late Mr. Moss was court-martialled as a result of the leakage of the news, but was able to clear himself. He remained on board the Sydney until the close of the war, when he left the R.A.N.

Besides the Great War, the late Mr. W. H. Moss served in the Boer War and the Boxer Rising in China, also in various minor skirmishes in various parts of the world.

During his life in Murwillumbah the late Mr. Moss resided with Mrs. Canning, Hospital Hill, he having been a close friend of the late Mr. George Canning. The late Messrs; Don and Len Moss also made their home with Mrs. Canning, who from pre-war days had been to them almost a mother. The three brothers were bachelors. The late Messrs. Len and Don Moss, in addition to William, were returned men, and that they came from a fighting family is evidenced by the fact that 14 of them, embracing brothers, brothers-in-law, and nephews, served in the Great War.

After the War the three brothers returned to Murwillumbah with the object of taking up land under the repatriation scheme, but were not placed. Mr. Len Moss died of war injuries 12 months later, and Mr. Don Moss passed away in Bundaberg a few years after.

The funeral of the late Mr. W. H. Moss took place in Murwillumbah yesterday, the cortege leaving the Seventh Day Adventist Church, River-view Street, after a service there. The remains were laid beside those of the late Mr. Len Moss in the old general cemetery, Church Hill. There was a representative gathering of district Diggers to pay a last tribute to their comrade. Pastor Boehringer, of Lismore, and Mr. Parmenter officiated. The Last Post was sounded by Mr. J. Pike. Six returned men acted as pall-bearers. They were Messrs. J. Hair, C. Hawkes, E. Corbett, P. Steel, J. Smith and H. James.' from Tweed Daily 7 Aug 1935 (nla.gov.au)