The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt. (FAA) W J M Moss

William James March Moss was born on 31st October 1917 in Devonport, the son of William Edgar Moss and Mary Sparkes Moss (nee March). His father was a bank manager in Newton Abbot.

WJM Moss was educated at Kingswood School, Bath before going on three years of specialised training at the College of Aeronautical Engineering.

He became an Associate of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Moss then joined the Fleet Air Arm as a Midshipman on 3rd July 1939 and did his initial training at HMS President, Frobisher and St.Vincent.

This was followed by flying training at 14 EFTS Castle Bromwich, going on to 7 FTS at Peterborough where he gained his wings on 17th March 1940.

Moss left 7 FTS on 26th May and was then attached to the RAF, being sent to convert to Hurricanes at 7 OTU Hawarden on 15th June. He was posted to 213 Squadron at Exeter on 1st July 1940.

Moss was lost on 27th August when Hurricane N2336 came down in the sea, cause unknown, on a routine patrol (report below).

His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the FAA Memorial, Lee-on-Solent.