John Mould

John Stuart Mould
Born 21 March 1910
Gosforth, England
Died 9 August 1957(1957-08-09) (aged 47)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Second Australian Imperial Force
Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve
Years of service 1940 – 1945
Rank Lieutenant Commander
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards George Cross
George Medal
King's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Other work Chief architect to the Housing Commission of New South Wales

John Stuart Mould GC, GM (21 March 1910 – 9 August 1957) was an Australian recipient of the United Kingdom's George Cross.

He was born in Gosforth, Northumberland and emigrated with his family to Australia in childhood. He served with HMS Vernon in mine disposal and was praised for 'outstanding work on dock clearance operations and those resulting in the stripping of the early German mine Type G'. He received a commendation for bravery in June 1941 and was awarded the George Medal in April 1942.

He recovered, defused and investigated the first example of a German moored magnetic mine and won the George Cross in November 1942 for 'great gallantry and devotion to duty'.

He later worked with Professor Jack Haldane on developing a diving suit with an integrated air system. After the war he was appointed chief architect to the Housing Commission of New South Wales in 1950. He died on 9 August 1957 in Royal North Shore Hospital due to peritonitis.

The story of his wartime service was told in "Softly Tread The Brave - A triumph over terror, devilry, and death by mine disposal officers John Stuart Mould, GC, GM and Hugh Randal Syme, GC, GM and Bar" - by Ivan Southall.

A park and a memorial are found at this location: http://www.whereis.com/nsw/lalor-park/stuart-mould-cr

References