Eric Moxey

Eric Lawrence Moxey
GC
Born (1894-04-14)14 April 1894
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Died 27 August 1940(1940-08-27) (aged 46)
Biggin Hill, Kent
Buried at St. Peter & St. Paul, Cudham, Orpington, Kent,
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Rank Squadron Leader
Service number 73498
Battles/wars World War II
Awards George Cross

Squadron Leader Eric Lawrence Moxey GC (14 April 1894 – 27 August 1940) was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who was posthumously awarded the George Cross for attempting to defuse enemy bombs on an airfield in 1940.[1]

Biography

Moxey was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to English parents and educated in England, at Malvern School and Sheffield University.[2]

27 August 1940

After a Luftwaffe raid on the aerodrome at Biggin Hill on 27 August 1940, Moxey, then an Acting Squadron Leader, volunteered to remove the unexploded bombs which had buried themselves into an airfield. While he attempted to clear them, one exploded, killing him instantly.

A 46-year-old member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve he was employed as a technical intelligence officer at the Air Ministry.

George Cross citation

His citation, which appeared in the London Gazette of 17 December 1940[3] -

The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the George Cross to :—

Acting Squadron Leader Eric Lawrence Moxey (73498), Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve. On the 27th August, 1940, it was reported that two unexploded bombs were embedded in an aerodrome. Squadron Leader Moxey, a technical intelligence officer employed at the Air Ministry, immediately volunteered to proceed to the site and remove them, though from the nature of his duties he was very fully aware of the risk entailed in such an operation. One of the bombs exploded causing his death. On many occasions Squadron Leader Moxey has exhibited similar complete disregard for his personal safety.

— London Gazette

His son, Nigel Hall Moxey, also died on service.[4]

References

  1. ↑ WW2 Awards - Moxey, Eric Laurence
  2. ↑ Eric Lawrence Moxey (1894-1940). www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  3. ↑ London gazette 17 December 1940
  4. ↑ George Cross Database Recipient at www.gc-database.co.uk

External links

Further reading


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