Lt Cdr A J Moys BSc MSc FRMetS Royal Navy
The Association has learned of the unexpected death of Lt Cdr Andrew J Moys BSc MSc FRMetS Royal Navy on 1 March 2018.
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From Records
Joined 1989.
1990-1992; EDO at RNAS Culdrose. Qualified METOC
1992. 1993 - Forecaster RNAS Culdrose.
1994-1995; METOC on 1FS.
1995-1997; 820 NAS METOC.
1997-1998; FWOC Northwood.
1998-1999; SNR Fcstr RNAS Culdrose.
1999-2000; SMETO,HMS OCEAN.
2001-2002; Training Officer, RNSOMO.
2003-2005; Exchange USA - Monterey, CA.
2005-2006; SWO(HM) to FOST.
2006-2008; OIC METOC to FOST (FOST HM/HMTG).
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Moys Royal Navy
Lieutenant Commander Andrew John Moys sadly passed away prematurely on the 1st of March this year at the age of 52. Andrew grew up in Porthleven, attending the primary school in the village and later studied at Helston Comprehensive. He was a Naval Officer and Meteorologist, spending much of his career at RNAS Culdrose, or at sea with one of the Air Station's Squadrons. His early passing is missed by all who knew him and this was very much borne out by the over 300 people who attended his funeral.
Andrew loved being a Naval Officer and a 'Met Man'. From the tender age of 4, he wanted nothing more than to join the Royal Navy, and follow in his Father's footsteps. Born in Gosport on 27 September 1965, Andrew moved to Cornwall with his parents and older brother at 10 months old when his father was moved to a posting at RNAS Culdrose. When Andrew was school age, he attended the Board School in Porthleven and the new Porthleven Junior School. He moved on to Helston Comprehensive for senior school, but always considered himself to be a Porthleven boy. From Helston, Andrew attended Queen Mary College in London and graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree in Geography in 1987.
After beginning a PhD and working for Somerset County Council, Andrew joined the Royal Navy in September 1988. His 29-year career began with Naval Officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth. Much of his service was spent at Culdrose or in the southwest with his first appointment as Education and Resettlement Officer at RNAS Culdrose. He trained as a Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer before deploying to the Devonport based frigates, HMS Coventry and HMS Beaver as their forecaster. He then returned to Culdrose as Squadron Meteorologist and Oceanographer for 820 Naval Air Squadron before joining the Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious serving during the Bosnian conflict. Back ashore and a job the Naval Headquarters in Northwood, Middlesex, before more sea time joining HMS Ocean which included operating during the Sierra Leone conflict. Andrew was selected for the coveted US Exchange appointment and Master’s Degree course at the United Sates Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Andrew returned to the UK for more senior roles, where he could pass on his knowledge and experience, working for Flag Officer Sea Training in Devonport, the Senior Meteorologist at Culdrose as well as a NATO appointment in Belgium.
Andrew met his wife Tracey, a then serving US Naval Officer, at the US Naval Postgraduate School in 2002. They were married in March 2005. She left the USN and emigrated to the UK in the Summer of 2006. Rachael was born in October of that year and Bryony was born two and a half years later in March of 2009.Outside of his Navy life, Andrew was a lover of sports cars, Top Gear, Lego, Plymouth Gin, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, fancy watches, Springer Spaniels, and his girls.
However, 2015 was a life-changing year, when on March 9th, Andrew’s immune system attacked his spinal cord and left him with an incomplete spinal cord injury (diagnosed as transverse myelitis), which resulted in partial paralysis and chronic, severe spinal cord pain requiring him to become a reluctant wheelchair user. Tracey said:
"He met this challenge with a fair share of stubbornness, determination, and courage — never giving up, even in the darkest moments."
The medical staff at RNAS Culdrose, Defence Military Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court, and Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske were supportive beyond all expectations. The services charity, Help For Heroes, but particularly the Royal Naval Officers Charity provided a lifeline with their individual and direct support for Andrew and the family.
Tracey said: "Rachael and Bryony and I are proud of the way Andrew faced his challenges with steadfast determination, his goal was to get on with life and live it to the full. He wanted to share life experiences with us and not be defined by his lack of mobility".
Andrew was due to retire from the Royal Navy on March 27, 2018 after his fourth medical board. He never wanted to leave the RN and could not imagine anything could ever be as fulfilling or enjoyable. In a twist of fate, on 01 March 2018, in the early hours of the morning and during the biggest snow storm Cornwall has had in a decade, Andrew died unexpectedly of a heart attack, thereby ensuring he never had to retire from his beloved Royal Navy.
It was abundantly clear from the attendance at Andrew's funeral, that he was loved, respected and cherished by many. The full military funeral saw many from the world of Naval Meteorology, past and present, return to where they, like Andrew had started their careers. Additionally, many of his ships mates, the aviators who had relied on his accurate predictions, were also there to pay their respects. The Fleet Air Arm at Culdrose honoured him with a fly past at the Porthleven Cemetery, his final resting place.
It is the wish of the family that those who knew Andrew continue to remember him and support the charities that provided so much help during his illness, namely Help For Heroes, and the Royal Naval Officers Charity.
A remembrance book has been set up for anyone who would like to leave a message of love, support and celebration for Andrew Moys and his family.
https://www.theonlinebookcompany.com/OnlineBooks/RememberingAndrew/Content/Filler