Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My dear Dad, Moss (Mostyn) Darby was a man of honour and integrity. A man with a brilliant mind who had to leave school at 12 to work the family farm. He enlisted in the RAAF aged 18 and though he keenly desired to be flight crew, his limited & public education (though he aced the entry exams) combined with partial sight colour deficiency (red-green colour 'blindness') determined he would become an Aircraft Engineer in the RAAF. 
It was only in much later years that Dad talked about his wartime experiences. Experiences that we his family could see had further shaped his beliefs & qualities of mateship, courage, determination, and considering it honourable to serve one's country. 

Dad was focused on doing what was right and correct. He expected us, his children (Dianne, Jennifer and Robert), to do likewise, and we were also expected to do our best with our school studies. We did, and he was very proud of our academic and personal achievements.
Dad was a terrific provider for our family in Strathmore, Victoria. He and Mum (Betty Darby) moved into their home there in early1953; a beaut home made possible through a Defence Force Home Loan. His job, an Aircraft Engineer for TAA. Again his natural academic ability, high level skills as an aircraft engineer, great work ethic and leadership skills saw him advance to his long dreamed for cockpit position. Flight crew! Undeterred by those limited education opportunities when young, he took himself off to night school. His mathematical reasoning prowess much impressing his teachers and so Dad gained the academic clout/awards he required to further his dream. Such an intelligent man, he even taught himself French at 58 so as to read/understand all the engineering content required for him to crew Australian Airlines' new Airbus from France. The training was in France and Dad topped the class there. Same excellent standard as he had achieved years before when he trained with Boeing in USA for the 727. He went on to hold rolls as Chief Check and Training Flight Engineer Australia and Senior Flight Engineer. Mind you, my Dad did not tell us much about his great results. He was a humble man. Others in much later years, such as men he flew with and trained, told the family details of our Dad's achievements. We feel very proud of him. 

Turning 60 meant Dad had to compulsory retire from Australian Airlines. Regardless, every conversation forever 'turned into a plane'! Dad and Mum retired to the beautiful coastal town of Anglesea in Victoria. Here they both made new friends and participated in many community organisations. Such as when Dad was Captain of the Anglesea Golf Club. 

it was in his time at Anglesea (38 years), that Dad was became actively involved in the Anglesea RSL. ANZAC Day, in particular, and Remembrance Day were special days on the Calendar. Mum made the wreaths, Dad doing the clean up of the grounds at the local RSL Hall. Dad participating in the Services. Anglesea RSL are a truly fantastic supportive band of veterans, & their families and other social members. In Dad's later years, after his dear wife Bett died (2010), it was that strong mateship, that genuine friendship and constant kind actions from Anglesea RSL committee & members that encouraged my Dad to live on. DVA provided the wherewithal for Dad to receive medical care and other assistance. Invaluable help very much appreciated and honouring to my Dad for his service to his country, Australia. 

Dad passed away peacefully in Anglesea at 98. He name is inscribed on the War Memorial in Anglesea and the Moss Darby Barbie, BBQ covered area on the Anglesea RSL property. Also there is a memorial brass plaque for him at the Anglesea Uniting Church Memorial Garden. His ashes are to be interred in 2023 in Wudinna SA.

God has him in His forever keeping, we Dad's family have him in our hearts. 

Dianne (Darby) Strack 

(Eldest daughter and number one picanninie, as he called me)