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Fred was born on the 25th September 1896 at 8 Station Terrace, Moor Row, Cumberland. He was the son of Emily Ann Vickers.
He was registered as Fred Vickers and his name was changed to Mossop when his mother married Charlie.
On the 1901 census he is shown living at 9 Dalzell Street, Moor Row, Cumberland with his parents and his sister.
Fred joined the Army in Darwen, Lancashire and was posted to France on the 31st May 1915 where he served with the King's Liverpool Regiment.
During his service he was awarded three bravery medals, The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)(twice) and the Military Medal (MM).
The citations for his DCM's read:
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) which appeared in the Supplement to The London Gazette on the 27th July 1916:
Citation for the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal which appeared in the fourth Supplement to The London Gazette on the 30th April 1918:
There is no citation for the award of his MM, the London Gazette entry reads:
The London Gazette on the 10th August 1916:
He was also awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star.
25188 Serjeant Fred Mossop DCM and Bar, MM died (aged 21) in France on the 30th December 1917 while serving with the 1st Bn The Kings (Liverpool) Regiment.
He is buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery France grave IF37.
His name is commemorated on the war memorial in Parton, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Obituary notice: The Whitehaven News, Thursday, January, 10, 1918:
Death Announcement: The Whitehaven News, Thursday, January, 10, 1918:
Article in The Whitehaven News, Thursday, August 3, 1916:
Notes: He was born at Moor Row, His father was born in Eskdale, Thomas Vickers was his mothers brother, unable to read the name of the second uncle.
25188 Cpl. F Mossop, 1st Bn., L'pool R.
(attd. 6/2nd Light Mortar By.).
For conspicuous gallantry. He went out under heavy shell fire to recover a mortar from an advanced position when the man who was bringing it down was killed. He has proved himself on many occasions to be a cool brave man.
25188 Sjt. F. Mossop, DCM, MM, L'pool R. (Darwen).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the enemy suddenly attacking in mass formation and overwhelming the front line by weight of numbers, he checked their advance to the second line by firing upon them steadily with a Stokes gun, which caused a great number of casualties. Seeing that he was in danger of being out flanked, he used his rifle with good effect, while his men withdrew the gun. He then rejoined his team, and after obtaining a new supply of ammunition continued to fire on the enemy. He displayed conspicuous courage and set a heroic example to his men.
(DCM gazetted July 27th, 1916)
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the under-mentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:-
25188 Cpl. F. Mossop, L'pool R.
SERGT. F. MOSSOP, DCM & M.M., KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE.
A SPLENDID RECORD.
Mr. and Mrs. Mossop, Post Office House, Parton, have received the sad news that their son, Sergt. F. Mossop, D.C.M. and M.M., King's Own Liverpool Regiment, late of Darwen, was killed in action on 30th November 1917. Sergt. Mossop enlisted shortly after the declaration of war and has seen much fighting, being the holder of two medals. He was also recommended for distinction a third time on the 30th October last. The letter from his captain conveying the sorrowful news is as follows:-
"Dear Mrs. Mossop, - It is my sad duty to have to write to tell you that your son, Sergeant F. Mossop, was killed in action early this morning. He was firing his gun when he met his end, and he could not have died in a nobler or braver manner. His body is lying well cared for, and will be buried by the C of E Chaplain as soon as circumstances permit. Your son was a splendid fellow, and about the bravest I've met. He was always cheerful and foremost in any games when we were behind the lines. He was really loved by all the officers, N.C.O's and men in the battery, and we all feel our great loss tremendously. With heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow".
N.C. HARRISON, Capt.
Another letter received from the Lieutenant reads:-
"Dear Mrs. Mossop, - It is with the very deepest sorrow I write to inform you of the death of your son, Fred, in action on the night of the 29th-30th December. I was in charge of a gun a few yards from him, and was the first to get to him. He died practically instantaneously and as bravely as he lived. He only asked me how the fellow with him was, and then said "Jack," "Jack". In your great sorrow it may be a consolation to you to know that your son was the finest man it has ever been my lot to meet. He has done the most magnificent work during the last six weeks, and was the cheeriest of the whole battery, no matter how unpleasant things were. His place cannot be filled, and there is not a single man who had such a hold on men. They would one and all have gone through anything for him. I feel his loss as though he was my own brother, and so did Captain Harrison. If there is any further information I can give you I will do so to the best of my ability, and perhaps I may have the chance some day to see you and tell you about Fred. The C.O. myself, and all the battery offer you and your family our deepest sympathy, and he will always be in our memories. - Yours truly."
ARTHUR ROBINSON, Lt.
MOSSOP - In loving memory of Fred (Sergeant) Mossop, aged 21 years, the beloved son of Charles and Emmie Mossop, Parton, who was killed in action in France, December 30th, 1917.
"They miss him most who loved him most"
Ever remembered by Father, Mother and Sister (Parton), and by Elsie Bibby Duke Street, Whitehaven.
THE D.C.M. FOR A PARTON LAD
A LOCAL YOUTH'S BRAVERY
The "Darwen Gazette" says:- The roll of Darwen heroes who have distinguished themselves by conspicuous bravery on the field of battle is assuming one of commendable proportions, and it is our pleasure this week to announce that to the list of local heroes is to be added the name of Corporal Fred Mossop, of the Light Trench Mortar Battery.
The son of Mr and Mrs Mossop, of 12 Alexandra View, and formerly of 192 Duckworth Street, the Corporal had had a distinguished part in the war. He won promotion from the rank of Private by bravery on the field some time ago, and has been prominent in later occasions and mentioned for honours.
Now the announcement is made that he has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, popularly referred to as the D.C.M., for bravery on the 1st and 2nd ult. In a letter to his home the young Corporal says that the honour has been conferred upon him for "getting my gun back to the support line during a heavy bombardment after other men had fallen". After his great success under most perilous conditions his Brigadier General approached him and said "I will shake hands with a brave man".
The matter was brought to the notice of Major-General W. G. Walker, who wrote to Corporal Mossop on the 9th ult., saying "Your commanding officer and brigade commanders have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery on the field. I have read their reports and I should like you to know that your gallant action is recognised, and how greatly it is appreciated".
Corporal Mossop, who is referred to above, is 18 years of age, and was born at Parton, where his parents resided for many years. For a time he was in the employ of Messrs Musgrave and Dobson, wholesale grocers, West Strand, Whitehaven, and was serving his time with Messrs H. and T. Burns, Duke-street, Whitehaven, as a plumber, when his family left Parton for Darwen, to which place he ultimately followed them. Corporal Mossop had previously received the Military Medal, and his stripes were both won on the field of battle. The father of Corporal Mossop is Mr Charles Mossop, a native of Keswick, and well known as a fell racer, and who was employed for several years at Preston-street goods station and at Moor Row. The gallant young Corporal has two uncles still resident at Parton, Mr Thomas Vickers and Mr John C??????. During his term of service Corporal Mossop was wounded in the head and back by shrapnel, while acting as a bomb thrower.