Charles Moss M.C.

CHARLES MOSS M.C.

Captain, Charles Moss, 7th (t) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment

Born in 1883 at Eccles, in Lancashire, son of Charles and Eliza (nee Brown) Moss. In 1891, he was living with his father on Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, working as a Traveller. Charles was a partner and manager of Dunkleys’s Mill, Oxford Road,
Macclesfield. He also spent a period of his life living in South Africa 1909-12, visiting many areas of central Africa. He was a Scout Master and Chairman of Examiners in 1913.

On the declaration of war, Charles joined the Lancashire Yeomanry as a private; however he was soon selected for officer training. He joined the 7th Battalion Cheshire Regiment at Oswestry, them moving onto Bedford, before they were drafted with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to the Dardinelles, landing at Sulva Bay 9 August 1915. In Gallipolihe suffered serious gunshot wound to his right thigh and was evacuated back to England on board S.S. “Aquitania” for hospital at Oxford.

In April 1916 he rejoined the 7th in Egypt. He saw action in the failed attack on Gaza on 26 March 1917, where he won the Military Cross for the storming of the citadel.

The citation reads:

“He led his company with exceptional gallantry to its objective, which he reached in an hour, although continuously under fire, over a distance of 5,0000 yards. He continued to lead his company against the enemy support trenches, inflicting many casualties….”

During a further attack in Gaza on 6th November 1917, he was killed by a stray bullet at a quiet time behind the main line.

Medals: Military Cross, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Captain, Charles Moss, is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel
C.W.G.C Ref:- Panel Ref: E.2.