Clement Mossop. 4151. Pte. 10th. Regt. South African Infantry, died of wounds 29th March 1916, age 26yrs.

Private Mossop was the son of Clement and Hannah Mossop, Dalecote, Cartmel. He was born at Calderbridge, Cumberland.

The Parish Magazine reported, in April 1916, "Private Clement Mossop, of the 10th South African Infantry, died on March 29th after being seriously wounded on the 19th, while serving in the East African Expeditionary Force.

"Mrs. Mossop's family has an exceptionally fine record, as three other sons are in the Army, and a daughter, Emily, is nursing under the Red Cross. Of her sons, Stanley served in the Dardanelles, Manson is an instructor at Aldershot, and William is in training at Bowden, having given up a position in South Africa specially in order to fight for the old country. To Mr and Mrs Mossop and to Mrs Mossop's brother, Mr Hodgson of Ayside, we offer our respectful sympathy, while we express our admiration for the gallant part their family is playing."

Britain and her allies (particularly Belgium and South Africa) fought in East Africa from 8th August 1914 to 1st December 1917.

The Germans were attempting to annex Kenya and it was decided that a force comprising of two divisions be sent to East Africa. General Jan Smuts landed at Mombasa in January 1916 and took command of the East African Expeditionary Force, which was engaged in battles around Mount Kilimanjaro in February and March of that year.

Smuts had 27,000 British, South African, Indian and African troops in his command, facing 10,000 German and Native soldiers under the command of Colonel Paul von Lettow Vorbeck.

Smuts had to penetrate south into German territory by the only feasible route, the 20 mile gap between Mt. Kilimanjaro in the west and the Paré Mountains to the south east.

Lettow's troops held the high ground and he had the added advantage of the Usumbara railway to supply and move his men. Major-General J.M.Tighe, in command of 2nd Division, acting with 2nd and 3rd S.A. Brigade and 1st S.A. Mounted Bde. fought their way through, and by 14th March, when this force combined with 1st Division, the Germans had retreated to the River Ruhu at Kahe. Attacks continued, and by 23rd March the Germans had left this important position and retreated into the Paré Mountains.

The fighting carried on until the Germans were driven out of their colony into Portuguese territory at the end of November 1917, finally surrendering on 23rd November 1918.

Photo by Bob Barnes.

Clement is buried in Nairobi South Cemetery, Kenya. Plot II, Row A, Grave 10.

Stanley and Manson were offered, and accepted, commissions in early 1917.

In December it was reported that Stanley had been shot through the thigh and Manson was recovering after being gassed.