Moss, Thomas Nathan Kimberley

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Thomas Nathan Kimberley Moss

8470, Acting Corporal, Depot Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Formerly 2nd RWF
Died of wounds (gas), 30 October 1918, aged 30
Buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery

CWGC registered (Son of T and Sarah Ann Moss)

ALSO SARAH ANN MOSS MOTHER OF ABOVE. AGE 44 DIED DEC 12TH 1895

Thomas Nathan Kimberley Moss was born in Manchester in 1888. He was the son of a Canadian-born musician, Tom Moss and his wife Sarah Ann Moss (née Kimberley). He had two elder brothers: Harry Edwin G Moss (1872-1941) and John Frederick Moss (1877-1962) and an elder sister Elizabeth Kimberley Moss (1874-1904). The Census of 1891 records the family living at Moss Side in Manchester. However, from 1879, Llandudno newspaper reports had glowed upon Tom Moss’ skill on the euphonium and the family later had a residence at 10 Pleasant Street, Craig-y-don. Tom Moss died in 1894 and the following year, his wife travelled to Manchester to nurse her son Harry Moss, ill with pneumonia. Sadly, she was infected and died.

In 1901, Thomas was living at the home of Harry at Broughton, Lancashire. Three years later, in September 1904, he joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, enlisting at Llandudno. Thomas Moss’ army record no longer exists and his date of recruitment has been estimated from that of other soldiers with close numbers (8466 and 8469 both joined in September 1904) suggesting that Thomas was aged 16 when he signed up. The Census of 1911 records him as being with the army in India – the 2nd RWF was billeted at Quetta (now Pakistan) in 1911.

Whether or not Thomas Moss was still a regular soldier or had been transferred to the Reserve by the outbreak of the Great War is unknown. In any event, he disembarked in France on 13 August 1914 with the 2nd RWF. The extent of Thomas Moss’ service on the Western Front is also unknown.

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Thomas “died ” in “home” service though an entry in the CWGC register states that he “died of wounds (gas).” From circa June 1918, Thomas was said to be suffering from melancholia. He entered a coma and 14 days later died at Nell Lane Military Hospital, West Didsbury on 30 October 1918 aged 30. His death certificate states that his address was “Belmont”, North Parade, Llandudno and that his rank was corporal. The certificate records Thomas’ age as 32 which perpetuated the discrepancy of his age when he joined up. Thomas Moss was buried in the same grave as his mother at Manchester Southern Cemetery.

Records give Thomas’ final unit as being the Depot Battalion of the RWF. This posting was for administrative purposes – the date he left the 2nd Battalion is unknown as is the date he was promoted to acting corporal.

Thomas Moss’ effects were received by his brother, the aforementioned John Frederick Moss. Sometime before 1901, John Moss had become a tobacconist at Llandudno. His address in 1911 was “Belmont”, North Parade (Thomas’ given address on his death certificate) – he still lived at Llandudno in 1939.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Stretford War Memorial
  • Mobberley War Memorial (possible – as Nathan Moss)

3 comments to Moss, Thomas Nathan Kimberley

  • admin

    CWGC record says “Died of wounds (gas).” Sarah Ann left Llandudno a year after Toms’s death to nurse her eldest son sick with pneumonia. He survived but she succumbed. Search Welsh Newspaper Archive. http://newspapers.library.wales/search?range%5Bmin%5D=1500&range%5Bmax%5D=2500&alt=&page=1&sort=score&order=desc&rows=12&refine=llandudno&query=%22tom+moss%22

    Apologies for my late acknowledgement.

  • Tony Moss

    My name is Roger Anthony Moss, grandson of John Frederick Moss (1876 – 1952), and I have spent many hours researching our Family History. Delighted to find your piece on my Great Uncle, Thomas Nathan Kimberley who is buried in the same grave as his mother Sarah Ann. Because there is no real War Service record available, I had a Military Historian research the records and he thought it likely Thomas had been gassed.His father, Tom Moss, musician, was born in Canada but whilst his father Henry Moss was serving there with the Rifle Brigade. In later life Tom seems to have separated from Sarah Ann and lived in Victoria Street, Craig y Don, died in 1894 and is buried at St Tudnos. John Frederick married Mabel Roberts in Llandudno in 1902, besides the tobacconists in Mostyn Street, John and Mabel ran a Guesthouse at “Belmont” but then moved to Bodafon Hall.

    • Adrian Hughes

      Hi Tony, just wondered if you had an image of your great uncle, Thomas Moss? We are projecting the images of Llandudno’s fallen onto the wall of M&S in Llandudno town centre on the 9th and 10th of November. Although we have many photos, Thomas’ is one that we are missing. Kind regards Adrian (Home Front Museum)

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