Captain Nicholas Mosley MC

Discussion in 'Italy' started by bexley84, Mar 1, 2017.

  1. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    I've just noted that Nicholas Mosley died yesterday....Nicholas served with E Company, 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles from Dec 1943 to July 1945 in Italy (and Austria) and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Casa Spinello near Monte Spaduro in October 1944.

    I met Nick with my father about 10 years ago (the first time they were together since Austria in 1945) and once more about 18 months ago. A very pleasant man.

    My father had mentioned to me that Lt (and later Captain) Mosley was not always the smartest....probably wore his caubeen at the wrong angle or something....and when we left Nick's house and after chatting with him for about an hour or so, I asked my father what he thought and the answer I got was "Still a scruffy officer."

    Quis Separabit.
     

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    Last edited: Mar 2, 2017
  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    His autobiography is a really good read. He liked the London Irish so much he did not want to rejoin KRRC.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    British Army Casualty List No 1453 (Officers) Dated 23 May 1944
    Wounded, Italy
    Rifle Brigade
    Mosley W/Lt N 256103 Date not recorded

    British Army Casualty List No 1456 (Officers) Dated 26 May 1944
    Corrections to date
    Rifle Brigade
    Mosley W/Lt N 256103, previous list 1453/6, Date of casualty 16.5.44
     
  4. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Lt Mosley was wounded on the morning of 16th May 1944 as Major Mervyn Davies, OC E Company recalled later in a note to Lt-Col John Horsfall.

    Sgt Edward Mayo, who took over as platoon commander from Mosley, was killed at the end of the attack.

    "On the afternoon of 14th May 1944, the battalion crossed the Rapido (Gari) river by a bailey bridge put up by 8th Indian Division. N Mosley, J Bruckmann and Desmond Fay were the E Company platoon commanders. I remember Sergeant Mayo MM and Sergeant McNally as two of the platoon sergeants with CSM Charnick.

    The crossing of the river was quiet and I remember no shelling. We spent a quiet night just inside the bridgehead. Next day, the battalion O Group moved to an area called ‘Happy Valley’. Here, there was some shelling and Geoffrey Phillips, who was in charge of G Company, was hit in the head, but not badly. Peter Grennell took over as OC G Company. At about the same time, the Commanding Officer, Colonel Goff, was killed by shellfire as was the Officer Commanding 16/5 Lancers (Colonel Loveday).

    The battalion was to attack with the Lancers. Bala Bredin was on the scene. I think he was with the Skins and I rather think that, following Colonel Goff’s death, he gave to the LIR the orders for the attack on the next day. In any event E Company moved into the area, from which it was to attack Sinagoga wood, a feature about 2000 yards ahead. We were shelled when we arrived at the starting point. Mosley was hit and so, I think, was Bruckmann.

    Most of the night was fairly quiet save for the noise of tank tracks, which we hoped were ours and not theirs. We had a splendid breakfast prepared by CQMS O’Sullivan.

    The attack started began at 0920hrs preceded by very heavy artillery fire which began at 0900hrs. We went forward with a troop of 16/5 Lancers (and Derbyshire Yeomanry). The initial advance was through a cornfield. The corn was quite golden and very tall and it was a shame to see tanks mow it down. On the other hand, the corn afforded useful cover to the infantry..."
     
  5. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    My father also recalled this amusing incident from early May 1945:

    “We were transported to Klagenfurt, where we met Nick Mosley, who was in charge of the advance party. We placed all the personnel in their allocated billets and separate accommodation was given to sergeants.

    I was quite happy about the arrangements but RSM Doug Meighan asked: ‘What about the colour sergeant and I? We are entitled to separate quarters.’

    This was true for warrant officers. But I was only a staff sergeant. Nick blushed and stammered an apology. He then knocked at an auberge.

    A top window was opened by a woman. Nick, when he was excited, had a terrible stammer.”

    He said: ‘Ha..Haben sie eine einne ssschlaaaafe ziiimmmer fur zwei zwei Oooberfeldwebels'.(Haben zie ein schlaffe zimmer fur zwei Oberfeldwebel?).

    ’The lady replied: ‘Bitte?.’

    Nick, who had a good command of German, repeated his request but with an even worse stammer.

    Once again the lady said: ‘Bitte?’

    I looked up and said: ‘Have you a bedroom for two Oberfeldwebels, please Madam?

    ’Certainly. How long will you be needing it for? I am English and I married my Austrian husband before the war. It is years since I spoke it, so I did not understand.’

    She had not realised that we were British because of our strange headdress and thought that Nick was speaking in another language....”
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2017
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  6. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Nicholas Mosley was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in December 1942.

    best wishes
     
  7. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    :poppy: Nicholas Mosley MC. RIP :poppy:

    Paul
     
  8. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    I shall be paying my respects to my father's comrade from 2 London Irish Rifles.... From the Times newspaper: "Mosley Nicholas, 3rd Baron Ravensdale MC FRSL, writer, died peacefully at home on Tuesday 28th February 2017, aged 93. Beloved husband of Verity, father of Shaun (deceased), Ivo, Robert, Clare and Marius and stepfather to Jonathan. Grandfather of nineteen and great-grandfather of ten. Funeral at St Luke’s Church, Hillmarton Road, West Holloway, London N7 9JE on Thursday 16th March 2017 at 1pm followed by a burial at Highgate Cemetery..."
     
  9. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Remembering Nick Mosley in London yesterday...Quis Separabit.
     

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