John Stuart Mould
Encyclopedia
John Stuart Mould GC
, GM
(21 March 1910 – 9 August 1957) was an Australian recipient of the United Kingdom
's George Cross
.
He was born in Gosforth
, Northumberland
and emigrated with his family to Australia
in childhood. He served with HMS Vernon
in mine disposal and was praised for 'outstanding work on dock clearance operations and those resulting in the stripping of the early German mine Type G'. He received a commendation for bravery in June 1941 and was awarded the George Medal in April 1942.
He recovered, defused and investigated the first example of a German moored magnetic mine and won the George Cross in November 1942 for 'great gallantry and devotion to duty'.
He later worked with Professor Jack Haldane on developing a diving suit with an integrated air system. After the war he was appointed chief architect to the Housing Commission of New South Wales
in 1950. He died on 9 August 1957 in Royal North Shore Hospital
due to peritonitis
.
The story of his wartime service was told in "Softly Tread The Brave - A triumph over terror, devilry, and death by mine disposal officers John Stuart Mould, GC, GM and Hugh Randal Syme, GC, GM and Bar" - by Ivan Southall.
A park and a memorial are found at this location:
http://www.whereis.com/nsw/lalor-park/stuart-mould-cr
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, GM
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
(21 March 1910 – 9 August 1957) was an Australian recipient of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
.
He was born in Gosforth
Gosforth
Gosforth is an area of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom, to the north of the city centre. Gosforth constituted an urban district from 1895 to 1974, when it became part of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has a population of 23,620...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
and emigrated with his family to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in childhood. He served with HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
in mine disposal and was praised for 'outstanding work on dock clearance operations and those resulting in the stripping of the early German mine Type G'. He received a commendation for bravery in June 1941 and was awarded the George Medal in April 1942.
He recovered, defused and investigated the first example of a German moored magnetic mine and won the George Cross in November 1942 for 'great gallantry and devotion to duty'.
He later worked with Professor Jack Haldane on developing a diving suit with an integrated air system. After the war he was appointed chief architect to the Housing Commission of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in 1950. He died on 9 August 1957 in Royal North Shore Hospital
Royal North Shore Hospital
The Royal North Shore Hospital is a major public teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located in St Leonards. It serves as a teaching hospital for Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney and has approximately 740 beds. It is the referral hospital for Northern Sydney and the Central...
due to peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...
.
The story of his wartime service was told in "Softly Tread The Brave - A triumph over terror, devilry, and death by mine disposal officers John Stuart Mould, GC, GM and Hugh Randal Syme, GC, GM and Bar" - by Ivan Southall.
A park and a memorial are found at this location:
http://www.whereis.com/nsw/lalor-park/stuart-mould-cr