William Noel Jobson Moscrop (1892-1918)
Darlington man served with 5th Durham Light Infantry
William Noel Jobson Moscrop was born the 16th of January 1891 in Darlington, County Durham. His father, William Jobson Moscrop, was an architect, and William was also trained to become one.
He enlisted and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 9th August 1913, holding the rank of Temporary Lieutenant from August 1914 to May 1915. He was sent to France, where he entered on 18th April 1915 with 1/5th DLI. There, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 15th May.
Later, he held the rank of a Temporary Captain from September 1916 to August 1917. During this time, he had to go back to England due to a fever, taking a sick leave in November 1916.
He returned to France in February 1917. In June was attached to 50 Division Headquarters (H. Q.) and was promoted to Captain the 12th of August. Moscrop was later posted to 150 Brigade Headquarters on 1st January 1918, and then returned to front-line service with 1/5th DLI on 1st of May of that year, serving as Adjutant.
Even though he was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Fusiliers he never took that position, and remained with his battalion. He was serving with it in Maizy (France), when the Germans launched the opening attack of the battle of the Aisne, on 27th May. William Moscrop was reported missing in action on that date and later presumed killed. He was confirmed killed in action when his and other graves were discovered in 1919. Their location indicated that he and his group died fighting whilst covering the bridge at the south end of Maizy. His body was then reburied in Vendresse British Cemetery (I. D. 1.), Aisne, France.
His services merited the award of the Military Cross, reported in the London Gazette on 1st January 1917, as well as being mentioned in dispatches in this same publication on 1st January 1916.
http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=50989
Civil Parish: Darlington
Birth date: 1892-Jan-16
Death date: 1918-May-27
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Ashcroft, Darlington, County Durham (1911 census)
Education: Durham school
Organisation membership: 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Employment: Architect pupil (1911 census)
Family: Father: William Jobson Moscrop
Mother: Fanny Elizabeth
Military service:
Lieutenant/ Captain/ Adjutant
5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
1914 Star
Memorial(s): Book of Remembrance 5th DLI, 1914-1918, St. Thomas Church, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. His name is on page 2.
Roll of Honour, 1914-1918, Library, Darlington.
Plaque, 1914-1918, St. Cuthbert’s Church, Darlington. His name is on the right column.
“The War Record of Old Dunelmians 1914-1919”, Durham School, Durham
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer
