Moss Berryman
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Mostyn Berryman (1923 - 2020)

Mostyn (Moss) Berryman
Born in Kent Town, South Australia, Australiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Father of [private daughter (1950s - unknown)], [private daughter (1950s - unknown)], [private daughter (1950s - unknown)] and [private daughter (1950s - unknown)]
Died at age 96 in Eden Hills, South Australia, Australiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 28 Oct 2019
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Biography

Mostyn Berryman

Mostyn 'Moss' Berryman was born on 9th November 1923 at Kent Town, South Australia, Australia. He was a son of Archibald Creswick Berryman and Dorothy Jarrett.[1]

Moss Berryman is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Royal Australian Navy 1942-1946
Z Force

On 7th April 1942, Moss enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy.[2] He was a member of the special commando unit, Z Force, in 1943 when it made its successful raid on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour (Operation Jaywick). He was Mentioned in Despatches, published in London Gazette 11 April 1944 on page 1678 at position 7.[3] Moss recalled in later life that, in December 1943 when Major Lyons asked him whether he would care to return to Singapore as part of a repeat operation, that he carefully considered the proposal for two seconds before declining. He spent the remainder of the war serving aboard the destroyer, HMAS Vendetta, patrolling off New Guinea and was de-mobbed on 21st February 1946.

After the war, Moss returned to his old job with stockbroking firm, S C Ward & Co., where he remained until retirement 46 years later.

He married his sweetheart, Mary unknown, a nurse. They had four daughters.

Moss was aboard the Krait when the famous old ship made her grand entry into Sydney Harbour in 1964 to commence her new life as a museum ship. On board with him were Ted Carse, Horrie Young, and Joe Jones of the Jaywick team.

In 1993, at the fiftieth anniversary of Operation Jaywick, Moss met Ivan Lyon's son, Brian – the 'spitting-image' of his dad – at the former's grave at Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. They cried together over the fact that Brian had never met his hero father.

In 2018, at 95 years of age, Moss is the last surviving Z Force member. He lives in a retirement village in his native Adelaide.[4] And he has now received the £235 'danger money' promised to members of the mission 75 years ago! Indeed, he has received nearly $5,000.[5]

Sources

  1. South Australia Birth Index #125A/37 1923; registered at Adelaide
  2. Australian War Memorial nominal roll: PA2717 Able Seaman Mostyn Berryman; accessed 29 Oct 2019
  3. Australian War Memorial nominal roll: PA2717 Able Seaman Mostyn Berryman; accessed 29 Oct 2019
  4. The Sunday Times: Operation 'Absolutely Incredible'; accessed 29 Oct 2019
  5. 2GB: WWII veteran’s risk-taking mission finally given the reward it deserves; accessed 29 Oct 2019




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Mostyn Berryman
Mostyn Berryman



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Thank you for your service!
posted by Claire (Chapel) Nava