Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Service record numbers:  O35958 (205785)

Rootsweb ID: I520982 Birth Record: 18 Aug 1916 in Adelaide, South Australia

Father: Frederick Gross b: 1877 in Steinbach, Württemberg, Germany
Mother: Janet Stuart Olcorn b: 1875 in Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia

12/9/1939    enlisted at Brighton North, Victoria
                   place of enlistment Laverton, VIC

Flight Lieutenant in 10 SQUADRON

Flying Officer 205785 Gross and Sergeants 14611 William Cheseldon Henson Moser and 62956 Rhys Frederick Owen were navigator, armourer/air gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft Captained by Flying Officer 416164 Basil Alfred Williams detailed for a flight in August 1943.  Whilst over the Bay of Biscay the aircraft was attacked by 7 enemy aircraft.   In the ensuing engagement, which lasted an hour, Flying Officer Williams fought with great skill and determination.  The aircraft was repeatedly hit and when the inter-communication system was putout of action, Flying Officer Gross, though wounded, did everything he could to keep his Captain informed of the enemy’s tactics.   The starboard main petrol tank was pierced and Sergeant Moser crawled into the mainplane and attempted to stop the leak.

He afterwards manned the galley gun, relieving Sergeant Owen who had fought with great resolution and remained at his post although wounded in the knee by cannon fire, and assisted in frustrating many attacks.  Flying Officer Williams succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft to base being greatly assisted by Flying Officer Gross, whose navigation in difficult circumstances was of a high order.  In the face of trying circumstances these members of the aircraft crew displayed great courage, skill and determination.

(By  416164 Flying Officer Basil Alfred Williams and 285147 Flying Officer Reginald William Stuart Gross DFC.)

27/8/1943    London Gazette - Awarded  "Distinguished Flying Cross"
                   for courage over Bay of Biscay, when aircraft under attack

*** service records need to be ordered through National Archives of Australia ***

6/6/1947      discharged from service

1947             married Dorothy Annie Young in East Melbourne, Victoria
                    (b. 1917 Aberlour, Banff, Scotland - d. 1963 East Melbourne, VIC)

Father:  George Alexander Young b: 18 MAR 1871 in Keith, Banff, Scotland
Mother: Alexina Sinclair Brims b: ABT 1883 in Bower, Caithness, Scotland

3 children

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  7/6/2016.  Lest we forget.