Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas Macedon and Mary Jane MOORE

Husband of Ada Jane Hndy MOORE

Military Medal

'At BULLECOURT on the morning of 12th May. Sergeant John Charles MOORE displayed great coolness and devotion to duty. When under very heavy enemy shell fire, the officer in charge of the post having been killed, he remained on post practically isolated, losing a number of his men. His conduct and coolness inspired the men under his command with great confidence. His coolness and devotion to duty deserves special recognition.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917
 

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the raiding party discovering that the wire had not been thoroughly cut he forced his way through, and, reaching the hostile post, jumped into it alone, and called upon the garrison of four men to surrender, which they did at once. During the withdrawal he remained behind with two of his men to bring in the wounded, which was carried through under very heavy machine gun fire. His prompt action in surprising the enemy insured the complete success of the enterprise.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165
Date: 24 October 1918
 

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout four days' fighting round a village this officer did most efficient work. When commanding a platoon in support, he maintained the flow of supplies to the front line and organized the removal of the wounded. He also obtained valuable information of an impending counter attack, and was responsible for bringing artillery fire to bear on the massed enemy. Afterwards he went along the front line, disregarding snipers, and cheering and encouraging the men who had lost their officers, returning with valuable information.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

According to eye witness reports, Lt Moore was killed when he was hit by a German shell when relocating a gun (mortar) during the 15th Brigade's diversionary action at Ville sur Ancre during the battle of Le Hamel on 4 July 1918.

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Lt John Charles “Jack” Moore MC+bar, MM
60th Battalion, AIF

There’s not much at Waterloo. A scatter of buildings, some remnants of gold-mining, and a cemetery. The school closed in 1955, by which time there was only six students. Even in its heyday, Waterloo was very small, not a place anyone would imagine producing a soldier who many referred to as “Dare Devil Dick.”
Thomas Macedon Moore was amongst the early first-generation European Australians, born, as his name suggests, at Macedon in 1853. When he married Mary Jane Robinson at Charlton on 19 November 1878, Thomas had already established himself as a gold-miner. It proved to be peripatetic existence, with their first children born at Chinaman’s Flat (near Timor) and Homebush, northeast of Avoca. They then moved to Waterloo and it was there that their fifth child, John Charles “Jack” Moore, was born on 2 June 1887. Of their seven children, only baby Henry (who lived just two days) failed to reach adulthood.

Like so many of those early families, the Moore children had a mix that was predominantly British in origin. Whilst the Moore’s came from around London, the Robinson family were from Westmeath and Cavan in Ireland. Mary was born at Ballarat East, and her Irish parents, Thomas Robinson and Bridget Donnelly maintained a connection to the district, living on their farm at Cherry Tree Flat, Smythes Creek, until their deaths.

For young Jack Moore, growing up at Waterloo was a quiet and gentle beginning. Alluvial gold-mining was still at the heart of the town, situated on the Trawalla Creek. This continued through until 1914, when an extensive strike over non-union labour caused major disruption. Beaufort, four miles to the northeast, was the closest major town, with Ballarat 26-miles to the northwest. When Jack was a boy Waterloo still boasted a Mechanics’ Institute, church, public hall and free library. But the population was always small and numbers at the school were naturally fewer than in larger areas. The adjoining country around Waterloo also proved ideal for agriculture with well-grassed pastureland.

During Jack’s childhood, the population of Waterloo showed an upturn that saw numbers nearly double. But it was always small and only ever supported a single church. The Waterloo State School, where John was educated, nevertheless produced a staggering 77 members of the AIF.

Jack Moore, however, was not destined to a life as a miner or on the land, nor was he to stay at Waterloo.
The firm of Massey-Harris – forerunner of Massey Ferguson – was a farming implement company started by Daniel Massey in Ontario, Canada. A merger with main competitor, Alanson Harris (also from Ontario) occurred in 1891. This company went on to become the largest farm machinery manufacturer in the British Empire. Their reputation in Australia was second to none, producing harvesters, cultivators, binders, and threshers, with depots in most major centres. After gaining an apprenticeship with the head office of Massey-Harris in Melbourne, Jack spent two years learning the trade of a mechanic.

When war broke out, Jack was employed as a repairing expert by the company and living at Bendigo. His decision to enlist came early in 1916. The process began at Bendigo on 22 April – he completed and signed his attestation papers and underwent the compulsory medical examination on that date. At 28, Jack was certainly at the peak of his physical fitness – he was 5-feet 9½-inches tall, weighed a rather slight 9-stone 2-pounds, but had an expanded chest measurement of 36-inches. In appearance, he was fair of complexion, with blue eyes and light brown hair. His eyesight was normal and he had been vaccinated in infancy.

Initially Jack had named his mother as his next-of-kin. However, this was to change – in reality if not on official documents – when, on 31 May, he married Bendigo woman, Ada Jane Hendy Cooper. At the time, Ada, who was seven years older than her new husband, was living with her eldest brother in Spring Gully Road, Spring Gully, and was working as a dressmaker.

Finally, on 6 June, Jack took his oath of allegiance. He immediately went into camp at Castlemaine, joining the 20th reinforcements to the 7th Infantry Battalion as private number 2532. Part of that initial process was the completion of mandatory typhoid inoculations and small pox vaccination.

Being transferred back to Bendigo on 14 July was significant for Jack: he was posted to the 5th reinforcements for the 60th Infantry Battalion and promoted to acting-corporal. Returning to Bendigo also allowed him to spend some time with Ada before he left for the Front.

Saying goodbye to Ada, Jack finally sailed from Melbourne on 25 September 1916. It took HMAT Shropshire just under seven weeks to make the voyage to England, reaching Plymouth on 11 November.

Shortly after Jack left Australia, his brother Charles also enlisted, but due to an accident that had broken his right instep, causing a flat foot, he was confined to camp duties at Geelong where he spent just a month.
During his brief time in England, Jack was posted to the 15th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. He left for France on 30 December, sailing from Folkestone onboard the transport Princess Clementine.

On reaching the 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Étaples on New Year’s Eve, Jack reverted to the rank of private. Interestingly, just two days later, he was promoted to acting-corporal once again. This time with the added bonus of extra duty pay. Then, on 7 January 1917, he was promoted to acting-sergeant – again with extra pay. He enjoyed this advantage for less than a week before he reverted to acting-corporal.

Jack left Étaples on 6 February and reached the 60th Battalion near Delville Wood two days later. The 60th had been badly hammered during the Battle of Fromelles the previous July and was still in the process of rebuilding. They moved into the frontline system of Rose Trench to relieve the 59th Battalion on 9 February.

On joining his unit, Jack reverted to the rank of private once again. He was appointed lance-corporal on 19 February and then promoted to corporal a week later. When Sergeant Claude Smith was reported wounded, John was promoted to take his place – the promotion recorded as 5 May 1917.

One can only assume he wasn’t adding and removing stripes on his uniform throughout all these changes!
Jack Moore’s first act of outstanding individual bravery came at Bullecourt on the morning of 12 May 1917. The 60th Battalion had been in the line at Noreuil for a number of days, and the fighting had been intense. A group of men from B Company, led by Lieutenant Charles Austin Leslie, were holding a forward post under very heavy shell fire. When Lieutenant Leslie was killed (‘blown to smithereens’) Jack Moore took command. He showed all the attributes that were to earn him the nickname “Dare Devil Dick.” His coolness and confidence holding the isolated post as a number of his men were killed inspired the others to hold on. As a result of his ‘devotion to duty,’ Jack was recommended for the Military Medal by Lieutenant-Colonel Norman Marshall, with announcement of the award being published in the London Gazette on 18 July 1917. Official confirmation was not sent to Jack’s mother, with the congratulations of His Majesty the King, until 5 December. It was apparent that Ada Moore’s name had not been added as next-of-kin.
In recognition of his valuable work, Jack was fast-tracked for a commission. On 17 June he joined the 1 ANZAC Corps School. It was a month-long course and he returned to his unit on 20 July. After just another month, he was on his way to England to attend the Officers’ Training College at Cambridge. Jack spent the remainder of the year with the No5 Officers’ Cadet Battalion. On 20 December he was appointed to the rank of second-lieutenant and posted to General Infantry Reinforcements. He joined the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge-Deverill nine days later and he was soon on his way back to France. He rejoined the 60th Battalion, then behind the lines at Beussent, on 23 January 1918.

In preparation for co-ordinated raids on a German strong post near July Farm, east of Wytschaete in Belgium, on the night of 13-14 March, Jack Moore did his own personal reconnaissance of No Man’s Land, and he made a thorough exploration of the ground in the vicinity of the post prior to the raid. The parties were comprised of three officers and 52 men. Jack Moore led a group of twenty men against the strong post. When they reached the barbed wire entanglements, it was discovered that it had not been thoroughly cut. Taking the initiative, Jack forced his way through the wire and jumped into the post on his own. The element of surprise played in his favour – he seized one German and called for the other four to surrender, which they immediately did.

When the time came for withdrawal, Jack coolly searched the position and checked the party away, remaining behind with just a couple of men to bring in the wounded and see that the jumping off tapes were taken up. This was all done under very difficult conditions: it was dark and the ground was very wet, and the men were under constant, heavy machine-gun fire.

Brigadier-General H. E. “Pompey” Elliott recommended the young officer for the Military Cross. Words to describe Jack Moore’s exploits included courage, coolness, zeal and devotion to duty. It was his belief that Jack had ‘ensured the complete success of the raid,’ and Elliott believed that he was deserving of special recognition. (The award appeared in the London Gazette on 13 May 1918).

In the interim, Jack was rewarded with promotion to full lieutenant on 1 April.

This was to be a pivotal time in the war: the German Spring Offensive had been launched on 21 March and resulted in major moves up and down the line. But it was at Villers-Bretonneux that the threat was at its height. The road from the small town led directly into Amiens and its fall would have ultimately seen the German Army march straight through to Paris. The arrival of Australian troops became a rallying cry for the fleeing French people – “Beaucoup Australiens ici!” (Many Australians are here).

Indeed, the efforts of the AIF at Villers-Bretonneux was to give birth to a legend and the 25 April 1918 became known as the second ANZAC Day. And once again, Jack Moore was to the fore. Throughout the operations from 25 to 28 April, he showed great coolness and ‘contempt of danger.’ On 27 April, he was sent with his platoon to replace C Company in supports. His duties included sustaining supplies to the front line and organising removal of the wounded, which he did with ‘gallantry and ability.’ When he obtained information regarding an impending enemy counter attack, Jack organised artillery fire on the massed German troops with significant results.

Jack then went along the frontline, obtaining useful information regarding the situation. His cheerful manner had a significant impact on the morale of the troops, many who had lost their officers. Ignoring enemy snipers and showing ‘utter disregard of risk,’ Jack continued his reconnaissance of the forward positions, gathering information that was vital to the next stage of the fighting. His bravery was instrumental in maintaining the confidence and focus of the men – “Dare Devil Dick” had arrived.
Subsequently, Brigadier-General Elliott recommended Jack Moore for a Bar to his Military Cross.
On 8 May, Jack was seconded for duty with the 15th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery (ALTMB) to help overcome problems caused by the issue of inferior 'blue ring' mortar ammunition.

In Routine Orders, dated 18 June, it was confirmed that Jack had been awarded the Bar to his Military Cross.

On 4 July, the 15th ALTMB, along with the 8th ALTMB, were near Ville-sur-Ancre preparing to support a raiding party that night. At around 8:30pm the German artillery put down a very heavy bombardment on the old front line and back areas. Sergeant Thomas Martin had been talking to Jack Moore and Lieutenant Joseph Robert Ranson (with the 8th ALTMB) as they positioned trench mortars along a gully, and had just walked away when a shell landed between the two officers. Ranson was killed instantly, being decapitated by the blast. Jack Moore was hit in the head by shrapnel; he lingered only a few minutes and was unconscious the entire time.

Showing the utter randomness of these incidents, Private Robert Turnbull (4599), who had been running messages for Jack Moore throughout the day, had been with him ‘half a minute before.’

Tributes were unanimous in their praise of the fallen officer, remarking on both his popularity and bravery. Sergeant Martin added, ‘He was absolutely game, never saw danger, a great man to be with…’

When writing the daily entry for the 60th Battalion diary, Lieutenant-Adjutant James D. Haddow made special mention of Jack Moore.
‘…During the heavy bombardment of the evening, in addition to the wounding of Lieuts L. R. Stillman MC and C. H. Ashman, the battalion lost one of its finest officers in Lieut J. C. Moore MC, MM, (seconded 15th ALTMB) who was killed by shell fire in the front line while operating his Trench Mortars. Lieut Moore MC, MM, had a splendid record of service and his loss was keenly felt both in the Battalion and the 15th ALTMB…’
It was to be Private Francis Stephen Wells (3514) who was responsible for the information that Lieutenant John Charles Moore MC & Bar, MM, was known as “Dare Devil Dick.”

Jack’s body was carried to the military extension of the Mericourt-l’Abbe Communal Cemetery for burial. Chaplain-Captain F. Charles Bremer, attached to the 59th Battalion, conducted the service. Lieutenant Ranson’s body was placed in the grave next to Jack.
An error in changing Jack’s next-of-kin led to a string of issues arising from official notifications. Ada was deeply shocked to receive a private telegram of condolence from a friend – it was the first intimation that her husband was dead. Her brother, Thomas Cooper, cabled Base Records seeking clarification – ‘no official notice relatives anxious reply if true…’

Despite having drawn her husband’s allotment and receiving a pension of £3/10 every fortnight, Ada still had to fight for recognition. Her letters, all written in her beautifully formed script, were patient and dignified, but also forthright. But she was clearly capable of standing her ground.

On 18 November 1918, on writing to Base Records re-requesting a Death Certificate (the initial request had been made three months earlier), Ada allowed a hint of sarcasm to colour her request. '…Two months ago I received a letter from Major General Talbot Hobbs, Commanding 5th Australian Division in France, expressing sympathy of self & staff at loss of such a gallant officer, and still there is no word from your office…'

Although Jack had completed his Will prior to leaving Australia (the document was witnessed by his brother, Robert Moore, and his brother-in-law, Charles Boucher, who he known for 12-years), Ada still had to prove her legal rights. Jack had been unequivocal: '…This is to certify that in the event of my Death, I hereby leave everything I possess to my Wife, Ada Jane Hendy Moore…'

Ada was eventually presented with her husband’s decorations, including the Military Medal, which she received during a ceremony at the Melbourne Town Hall. She also signed for several parcels of effects. The first contained a damaged wristwatch and guard, waterproof case, canvas wallet, photos, postcards, and visiting cards. There was also an Iron Cross ribbon. A brown valise then arrived, containing a sleeping bag, Sam Browne belt, a canvas belt with badges and buttons, and items of clothing. The final parcel was the largest. Amongst the items, were two identity discs, one on a chain, coins, wallets, his Testament, a safety razor and blades in a leather case, a note book, diary, more visiting cards, an engraved wristwatch with strap and guard, a gold ring, two references, his School of Instruction Certificate, two motor driver's licenses, letters, photos, press cuttings, ribbons for the Military Cross (and additional bars) and Military Medal, trinkets, and a religious symbol.

Clearly Ada cherished all these mementoes. Her marriage had been heartbreakingly brief. There were to be no children and she never looked to remarry. She died at Bendigo on 9 August 1945.

Although the Imperial War Graves Commission (now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) allowed for sixty-six characters (including spaces) for a personal inscription on individual headstones, Ada chose just two words: Sadly Missed.