Brandon Moss GC

Place/date of birth: Badingham, Suffolk/June 5, 1909

Rank when awarded GC (and later highest rank): Civilian

Date of bravery: November 14-15, 1940

London Gazette citation:

Brandon Moss, Special Constable, Coventry Special Constabulary

Special Constable Moss was engaged on duty when a house was struck by an H.E. bomb and completely demolished, burying the three occupants. He led a rescue party in clearing an entry to the trapped victims under extremely dangerous conditions owing to collapsing debris and leaking gas. When conditions became critically dangerous he alone worked his way through a space he cleared and was responsible for the saving of the three persons alive.

It was then learned that other persons were buried in the adjoining premises and Moss at once again led the rescue. The workers became exhausted after many hours of work but Moss laboured unceasingly and inspiringly throughout the complete night, again with falling beams and debris around him, and as a result of his superhuman efforts and utter disregard for personal injury one person was rescued alive and four other bodies recovered. During the whole of the time of the rescue, bombs were dropping around and it was known that there was a delayed action bomb in the doorway of a tavern only 20 yards away. Moss was working from 11 p.m. until 6.30 a.m. without pause.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Warwickshire/August 9, 1999

Grave/memorials: Cremated, Canley Cemetery, Coventry; painting by Alfred Reginald Thomson, RA

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2010

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum