14420223 Gerald Henry MOSS, 22nd Indep. Coy Parachute Regiment: 10/2/1945

Just catching up on this post now.. ill inbox Gerald's Family now.

 

Kmharrison i have inboxed you and Anne Mansey

 

Thank you for your response and putting flowers on his grave, such a kind gesture. I could probably access a copy of his birth certificate through UK central records but that would possibly mean changing his grave stone which I wouldn’t want to do (my father decided against this when he was alive).

 

14420223 Gerald Henry Moss, 22nd Indep. Coy Parachute Regiment: 10/2/1945

In answering a question for Alex 2 days ago, I had to read a number of 12th Devon cross river Patrol Reports. Amongst them was a report by the 22nd Ind. Para Coy dated 10/11 Feb. 1945. Which leads me to believe 22nd Ind. Para Coy were under command 12th Devons at the time. Having read the 22nd Ind. Para Coy War Diary page on this thread, I'm certain the Patrol Report and the War Diary relate to the same incident. If true, then 14420223 Gerald Henry Moss died as a result of stepping on a land mine. He was carried back across the river. He is officially classified as being killed in action. So he either died at the scene or very soon after reaching allied lines. There are grid references for anyone wishing to visit the exact location. Hope these reports help clarify events for family and friends of Gerald Henry Moss.

 

The map and unit locations I have puts 22 very close to the 12 Devons there, so I suspect you’re correct.

 

The 12th Devons War Diary, 23rd to 26th Jan, 1945, confirms 22nd Ind Para Coy were under command 12th Devons. As there is no previous mention of them, I assume this occurred on the 25th Jan, 1945. This War Diary page interestingly shows the 6th Airborne Division leaving Belgium on the 24th Jan, 1945 to take up its new positions in Holland. With the 12th Devons in Blerick and Boekend. The 22nd Ind Para Coy in Hout Blerick. I created a map (cut, paste & join) which clearly shows the Iron Works mentioned in the 22nd Ind Para Coy patrol report. There is a black dot above the first letter 'e' in Tegelen, which may be the small house mentioned in the patrol report, as it roughly corresponds with the given grid reference of 882064.