MOSS, Eric Sydney Albert
| Service Number: | 3094 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 July 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Katoomba, News South Wales, Australia , 27 June 1895 |
| Home Town: | Petersham, Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Electrician |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 6 April 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Picquigny British Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3094, 35th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 1917: | Involvement Private, 3094, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Jan 1917: | Embarked Private, 3094, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sydney Technical High School
Eric Sydney Alfred Moss was born on 27 June 1895 in Katoomba, New South Wales, to Amelia Jean and Sydney Albert Moss. The family later moved to Petersham, Sydney, where Eric grew up. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in electrical engineering, which became both his career and passion before he enlisted for service in the First World War.
Eric received his education at Fort Street High School, Sydney Technical High School, and Granville Technical College. He later worked as an electrician at Lawrence and Hanson Electrical Company for three years. Alongside his studies and career, he also undertook militia training, serving four years in the 39th Fortress Company and a further seven months in the Australian Garrison Artillery. These experiences reflected his sense of duty and discipline, and prepared him for his later military service.
Eric enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 July 1916. He was assigned to D Company, 35th Battalion, with the service number 3094. After embarking on HMAT Anchises (A68) for England, he suffered several periods of illness, delaying his frontline service. Despite these challenges, he persevered and continued training with the 9th Training Battalion, later joining his battalion in France on 30 March 1918. Letters sent home to his mother during this time reveal his determination, even as he admitted that he was “not too strong” but would try his best.
On 4 April 1918, Eric and the 35th Battalion took part in the First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, a counter-attack that successfully halted the German advance on the vital rail hub of Amiens. During the fighting, Eric was severely wounded by machine-gun fire to the abdomen. He was evacuated to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station, where he died from his wounds the following day, 5 April 1918. He was 22 years old.
Eric was buried at Picquigny British Cemetery in France. Much of his personal kit was tragically lost when the vessel SS Barunga, which carried belongings of returning soldiers, was sunk by enemy action in 1918. His mother, Amelia, who had already endured the loss of her only son, sought these belongings for many years after his death, but never recovered them.
Eric Sydney Alfred Moss is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, the Sydney Technical High School Honour Board, and through the enduring remembrance of his family.
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