In August 1918 Mossop landed his seaplane in St Helier Harbour in order to pay an unofficial visit to his parents’ home. He was the son of Charles and Eliza Mossop of Cambray, Millbrook, although newspaper reports suggest that he visited his parents at their business in Commercial Buildings, alongside the harbour.
He had been awarded the DSC for sinking with bombs the German submarine UB32 in the English Channel. Two days after greeting his parents he was killed landing his damaged craft at Port-en-Bessin near Cherbourg.
He and observer Lt Robert Edmund Horton, from Kirby Cross in Essex, of No 243 Sqn RAF, were both killed while flying in a Wight converted seaplane No 9859 on 13 August 1918. The aeroplane's tailplane collapsed during take off.
Lt Mossop was buried in Tourlaville Communal Cemetery, France, and he is also commemorated on a family gravesone in St Clement’s Churchyard in Jersey, and on the St Lawrence parish war memorial.
Evening Post items
Monday 29 October 1917
Old Victorian gains Distinguished Service Cross. Hearty congratulations to Mr and Mrs C Mossop whose son, Flight Sub-Lieutenant C S Mossop, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for a very plucky and gallant action, the particulars of which, though not yet officially published, are generally known locally.
Tuesday 13 August 1918
Jersey Flying Officer dies of injuries. On Saturday afternoon a large number of local people noticed a seaplane pass over the Island and land outside the harbour. The officer in charge, it is an open secret, was Flight Lieutenant C S Mossop, who visited his parents Mr and Mrs C S Mossop of Commercial Buildings and his brother, Captain E Mossop of the Royal Air Force now on leave in the Island. We regret to state that this morning the parents received a wire that their son had been seriously injured whilst flying and was in hospital in France, the telegram added that the injuries would probably not be of a fatal nature. Later: We regret to learn that the gallant young officer has succumbed to his injuries.
Wednesday 14 August 1918
The accident to a Jersey Flying Officer - Flight Lieutenant Mossop succumbs to his injuries. As we stated yesterday Mr and Mrs C S Mossop, of Commercial Buildings, during the afternoon received a telegram conveying the news that their son, Flight Lieutenant C S Mossop of the Royal Air Force, had succumbed to the injuries he received in a seaplane accident in France. Thus by the irony of fate the gallant officer, who had previously been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for services in action with enemy submarines, has lost his life within a few hours of paying a flying visit to his home and family. The deceased officer was educated at Victoria College from 1907-14 and with his brother, Captain E Mossop of the Royal Air Force, took up engineering work in England and shortly after the outbreak of war they both joined the RNAS. Stanley Mossop, as he was known to his intimate friends, was a splendid young fellow and a most promising officer, his parents, to whom the sympathy of all will go out, have the satisfaction of knowing that he died doing his duty and that before his career was so tragically cut short he had given of his best to his King and Country.
Thursday 15 August 1918
The Late Lieutenant C S Mossop DSC to be buried at Cherbourg. The funeral of the late Lieutenant C S Mossop of the Royal Air Force takes place today at Cherbourg. The bereaved parents and brother being present at the interment. Mr C Mossop's stores at Commercial Buildings are closed for the day.
