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Mosley, Michael Henry

Date of birth:
March 28th, 1912
Date of death:
November 2nd, 1942 (Egypt)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery El Alamein
Plot: VI. Row: F. Grave: 18.
Service number:
126514
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Michael Mosly was educated at Shrewsbury School and Trinity College, Oxford. He initially trained to be a doctor but subsequently elected to study theology and become a priest. Perhaps as his father was the Bishop of of Southwell. He was on the point of taking Holy Orders when the Second World War began and he decided to join the Army.
In October 1940 he joined the 2nd Battalion (2 Rifle Brigade) in North Africa.
In July 1942 he assumed command of B Company 2 RB. He took part in the battle of El Alamein and was present during 2 RB’s famous ‘Snipe’ action on 27 October.
On 2 November 1942, Mosley was killed in action, aged 30, by a burst of automatic fire from enemy tanks during a fierce engagement in the early stages of Eighth Army’s break-out from El Alamein.

Promotions:
23 March, 1940: 2e Luitenant - Rifle Brigade
23 September, 1941: Luitenant
20 November, 1941: Acting Captain

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Second-Lieutenant
Unit:
The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
Awarded on:
May 9th, 1941
Citation:
"This officer was in command of a mobile patrol consisting of two platoons and one section Bofors guns. For three hours he engaged and harassed an enemy column of 200 M.E.T. with guns and tanks and despite heavy fire, succeeded in bringing it to a standstill and forcing the surrender of the entire column. The daring and initiative shown by this officer in repeatedly engaging a strong column throughout its length of three miles at various points undoubtedly convinced the enemy that much larger forces were opposing them."
Military Cross (MC)

Sources

Photo