Personal info
- Name: Eric Lawrence MOXEY
- D.O.B: 14th Apr, 1894
- D.O.A: 27th Aug, 1940
- D.O.D: 27th Aug, 1940
- Award: George Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Acting Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
RAF Biggin Hill, Kent 27 August 1940
27 August 1940
The Second World War 1939 - 40
From July to October 1940 the Luftwaffe made a sustained effort to knock out Britain’s air defences. If the Germans had won the Battle of Britain, this would have been the prelude to a German invasion. On 27 August 1940, at the height of the battle, Squadron Leader E L Moxey volunteered to remove for further investigation the fuzes from two unexploded bombs at RAF Biggin Hill, the important fighter base north of Westerham, Kent. He successfully removed the fuse from the first bomb but was killed when the second bomb exploded, while he was working on it.
Citation
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS to:– Acting Squadron Leader Eric Lawrence Moxey (73498), Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve. On the 27th August, 1940, it was reported that two unexploded bombs were embedded in an aerodrome. Squadron Leader Moxey, a technical intelligence officer employed at the Air Ministry, immediately volunteered to proceed to the site and remove them, though from the nature of his duties he was very fully aware of the risk entailed in such an operation. One of the bombs exploded causing his death. On many occasions Squadron Leader Moxey has exhibited similar complete disregard for his personal safety.