Eric Moxey
| Eric Lawrence Moxey GC | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 April 1894 Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Died |
27 August 1940 (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
- ↑ WW2 Awards - Moxey, Eric Laurence
- ↑ Eric Lawrence Moxey (1894-1940). www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ↑ London gazette 17 December 1940
- ↑ George Cross Database Recipient at www.gc-database.co.uk