MOSS, Cyril George


No.2722769, Guardsman, Cyril George MOSS
Aged 32


2nd Battalion, Irish Guards
Killed in Action on Saturday, 5th August 1944


Cyril George Moss was born in West Wickham on 23rd May 1912 (Linton Q2-1912 3B:844), son of Benjamin and Rachel MOSS (née POTTER).
He had brothers Frederick Charles [1902], William Stanley [1904], Richard James [1909] and Alfred B [1915]; sisters Hilda May [1900], Daisy Ellen [1906] and Lillian J [1920]. All were West Wickham born.

In the 1939 register Cyril, a grocer's roundsman (motor), was at High Street, West Wickham with his parents, father [24-11-1868] a farm labourer; mother [24-3-1876]; brother Alfred B [26-5-1915] a farm labourer. There are 2 closed records.


The 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards were part of the 5th Guards Armoured brigade, Guards Armoured Division, operating with Sherman 5 and Sherman Firefly 5C tanks. The Firefly was a British version of a Sherman with a 17 lb anti tank gun.

Prior to loading for the D Day landings, Cyril is listed as the driver of a Bedford truck of 1 squadron, 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards (from http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/29427-2nd-armoured-battalion-irish-guards/)
Cyril's was the only death in the battalion that day, 12 had been killed the day before, near MARVINDIERE, so it is just possible he had been wounded on the 4th.

Bedford 3 ton general purpose lorry and a Firefly 5C in the markings of 5th Guards Armoured (albeit a model)
It is not known which vehicle Cyril may have been driving in August 1944


photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Cyril Moss is buried in St. Charles de Percy War Cemetery, France grave 13:G:4
Originally buried in Le Tourneur, re interred July 1946.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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