Robert Stephen Mossman

Forename(s):
Robert Stephen

Surname:
Mossman

Initial(s):
R S

Service Number:
885

Rank:
Sergeant

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force

Died:
26/04/1915

Aged:
25

Buried:
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

Mossman was one of the first five men from Amble to be killed in action or missing, presumed dead. The others were Laurence Fealey; George William Geggie; Robert Stephen Mossman; & William Nairn.

A military report describes the background & ensuing hostilities of April 1915 in which they lost their lives:

'The Battalion received orders to support an attack to be made by the 4th & 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, on the village of St. Julien.

As soon as the Battalion moved off, it came under very heavy artillery fire, & on reaching the St. Julien - Wieltje road also came under heavy machine gun fire & rifle fire. The Battalion moved up into the firing line as reinforcements, the men advancing at the double in extended order. Advances were made by rushes, but no good fire positions could be obtained, as it was seen that a trench to our front was occupied by the Seaforth Highlanders. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties.'

The 'Alnwick & County Gazette' reported on a letter from Captain Vernon Merivale, who spoke highly of Mossman, who was last seen on 26 April. He had apparently been slightly wounded & was making his way to the dressing station. Not having heard of him since, Merivale concluded Mossman must have been shot on the way back. Merivale described Mossman as '...being most popular as a man, & as a soldier. His rapid promotion speaks for itself.'

Mossman appears to have joined the Territorial Force about 1908, possibly when it formed. At the outbreak of war he went to Blyth, to Gosforth & then to Cambois for training, & in April 1915 to the Front.

He was sent into action of 23 April & got through the first few days without a scratch, then had a few days rest out of the trenches. He went back into action on 26 April, & was not seen again alive.
(Source: 'In Memory of the Fallen: Amble & surrounding area'; Compiled by Jane Dargue, Jim Donnelly & Helen Lewis; 2014; pp. 9-10)

Background:
Born at Amble, Northumberland, the son of Robert Mossman, of Wellwood Street, Amble.

Before the war Mossman was employed for many years with the Amble Co-operative Society, & was well-known in the town.
(Source: 'In Memory of the Fallen: Amble & surrounding area'; Compiled by Jane Dargue, Jim Donnelly & Helen Lewis; 2014; p. 10)

Local Memorial:
Amble War Memorial