John Mould

Who was John Mould?

John Stuart Mould GC, GM was an Australian recipient of the George Cross.

He was born in Gosforth, Northumberland and emigrated with his family to Australia in childhood. He was appointed a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve on 1 September 1940. He sailed for the UK on the Strathmore on 14 September 1940. After training at HMS King Alfred. He joined the Rendering Mines Safe section on 14 December 1940 attached to HMS President for his initial introduction to his future duties. In March 1941 he was posted to HMS Vernon for duties and further training 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 King's Commendation for Brave Conduct 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 was awarded the George Cross in November 1942 for "great gallantry and devotion to duty".