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Introduction

Most older cricket devotees will have read one of his books and probably have vague memories of Johnny Moyes as a cricket commentator on radio and in the early days of television in Australia. Perhaps they will only remember his description of the last over bowled by Wesley Hall in the remarkable tied Australia v West Indies Test Match at the “Gabba” in 1960. Younger cricket followers probably have never heard of him.

There have been several other short biographical publications which briefly cover aspects of the life of Alban George "Johnny" Moyes . However, his military service to his country, contributions to cricket as a player, mentor, journalist and author, deserve far more.

This biography provides information on his family background, growing up in South Australia, education and sport at St Peter's College, his association with the Adelaide University Cricket and Football Clubs and his emergence as a first-class cricketer for South Australia. His education and promising cricket career then were put on hold when he enlisted to serve during the Great War (1914 -1918). Had the First World War (and injuries sustained) not interrupted his career in his early 20's - what might have been?

After moving to the Eastern States following his return from World War 1, his cricket playing days in Victoria and New South Wales are discussed. An attacking batsman, inspired perhaps by Victor Trumper, his performances were inconsistent, however he feared no bowler and on his day, he showed his brilliant ability to score quickly and importantly entertain spectators. His emergence as a respected journalist and the close relationship he formed with Sir Donald Bradman are also explored.

Newspaper articles, representing only a small proportion of those written about him or by him, are included to give some insight into his lifelong involvement with cricket. After his retirement from playing, his writings clearly reflected strong opinions developed through an intimate knowledge of the game, its players and administration.

Early Years and Education

Alban George “Johnny” Moyes was born at Gladstone, South Australia on 2nd January 1893, to John "Jack" Moyes, a schoolteacher and Ellen Jane (nee Stoward). He was the youngest of their five surviving children: John Stoward Moyes (1884 – 1972), Morton Henry Moyes (1886 – 1981), Vera Mary Moyes (1887 – 1961), Thelma Elizabeth Moyes (1889 – 1977). First-born child, a boy, had died in 1883 when only two days old. At the time of Johnny’s birth his father was the headmaster at the Gladstone School in South Australian mid-north. Jack Moyes, his parents and siblings all had grown up in New South Wales and the family moved to South Australia in 1888 to further Jack’s teaching career as a country head-teacher with the SA Education Department. He participated in community activities and Now in now in his early 40s, Jack who had been a particularly good cricketer in NSW, played for the local Gladstone team.

The family moved from Gladstone when Jack was transferred to the Naracoorte School in the south-east of South Australia. Sadly in 1898, while in living in Naracoorte, tragedy struck when Johnny's mother Ellen, died. The following year, they returned to Adelaide when Jack was appointed headmaster of the Maylands School on Wellington Road (now Portrush Road). Johnny attended the Wellington Road School until he was 11 years of age. In 1904 he was awarded an open scholarship to St Peter's College (SPSC) which entitled him to three years free tuition. Johnny's older brothers had already been outstanding students at SPSC, however they had both moved on to study at Adelaide University by the time of Johnny's enrolment.

Jack Moyes married again in 1904 to Nellie Le Lievre and two years later Johnny's half-brother, Owen Arnold Philip Moyes, was born in 1906.
At St Peter's College, like his brothers before him, Johnny participated in all sports including athletics, cricket, football and tennis. His wide sporting interests would have been encouraged by his father and brothers and who were all keen sportsmen.

Education and Sport at St Peter's College

Johnny Moyes attended St Peter's College from 1905 until 1911. He received his Primary Examination Certificate in 1905 passing English (Grammar, Composition and Dictation), Arithmetic, English History and Algebra.

In the 1907/08 cricket season, not yet a regular in the senior college teams, 14-year-old Johnny played for St Marks in the United Church Association competition on weekends, scoring 33 not out on one occasion.

Both of Johnny's older brothers, John Stoward Moyes and Morton Moyse, played cricket at St Peter's College and after leaving school were members of the East Torrens B Grade team. In the 1906/07 season John S. was promoted to A Grade after scoring a century in the B Grade. John Stoward Moyse became a Church of England Clergyman and later had a long successful career playing in the local United Church competition and at Port Pirie, before returning in the East Torrens Norwood Oval Team in the early 1920s. Occasionally, he also played in matches with St Peter's Old Collegians. Morton Moyse also played for the old scholars against a school first X1 team in a match which included Johnny. No doubt their father and his older brothers would have been a great influence on Johnny's development as a cricketer.

By the start of the 1908/09 cricket season, 15-year-old Johnny Moyes was proving himself to be an exceptionally good cricketer and was now an established member of the St Peter's College 1st X1 Team which played in the SACA B Grade competition.

In December 1908, Johnny was selected for his first intercollegiate cricket match against Prince Alfred College, and despite the Saint Peter's College team being thrashed, young Johnny Moyes performed quite creditably. In SPSC's first innings he was the only batsman to reach double figures, top scoring with 31 runs and in the second innings he scored 15. Bowling medium-pace he claimed two wickets in PAC's first innings and one in their second innings. His victims were PAC's Ken Steele and Don Steele (twice) both of whom remarkably would later be team-mates at Adelaide University and with South Australia.

In the Senior Public Examinations at the end of 1908 Johnny demonstrated that he was also a good student by finishing 36th in the general honours list, passing seven subjects.

In 1909, Johnny was reported to have been scoring well for St Peter's College in the SACA B Grade competition and in the 1909 Intercollegiate Cricket match against Prince Alfred College his "first rate hitting" resulted in a quick 51 runs. He also opened the bowling taking 4 for 48 to help Saints to a comfortable victory.

Following on from their intercollegiate victory against Prince Alfred College, the team went on to take out the SACA B Grade Premiership for the 1909/10 season. Remarkably 17-year-old Johnny Moyes headed the team averages for both batting (also SACA award) and bowling.

During his years at St Peter's College, Johnny was also a member of the School Cadets and in April 1910 was promoted to Lieutenant (on probation). The same year, he also showed his versatility in sport as captain of the intercollegiate tennis team. Over his last two years at SPSC, he had grown significantly to be nearly six foot tall and was now also a member of the SPSC 1st XVIII football team.

St Peter's College defeated Prince Alfred College again in the 1910 Intercollegiate cricket match with Johnny taking 4 wickets for 48 runs in the PAC first innings, however he did not have any success with the bat.

At the end of the 1910 school year, Johnny sat for his Higher Public Examinations and passed in four of the five compulsory subjects (Latin, French, German and Pure Mathematics).

Johnny stayed on at SPSC in 1911 for an additional year and in November, Johnny passed Inorganic Chemistry. This subject was conducted by the Science Faculty at Adelaide University and was required for him to complete the compulsory five subjects for the Higher Public Examinations Certificate for admission to Adelaide University.

In 1911, Johnny was captain of the 1st XI and in the Intercollegiate contest against PAC, he top scored with 72 and took four wickets in PAC's 2nd innings to help SPSC to another outright win.

The following week St Peter's College played Melbourne Grammar in Melbourne. Johnny's 135 runs with 14 fours and two sixes were described as a “brilliant innings”.

In December 1911 it was reported that Johnny would be going to Adelaide University and be able to finish the 1911/12 cricket season with the University Club.

Adelaide University

In 1912, after enrolling as a student in the Science Faculty, he was now qualified to play for the Adelaide University Cricket Club in the A Grade SACA Premiership Competition. He was able to play the last few matches of the 1911/12 season.

Johnny was immediately selected in the University A Grade side and it was not long before he made his mark by scoring a big hundred (180) against a strong East Torrens on March 16th, 1912. He would have impressed opposition players including experienced State and International player Edgar "Ernie" Mayne and, former English Test Cricketer Jack Crawford, who had recently been recruited to play for South Australia. After arriving in December 1909, Crawford secured a teaching position at St Peter's College and this also involved supervision of sports, including coaching the cricket team. He would have had some impact on Johnny's development as a cricketer who was already a member of the 1st X1 Cricket Team from 1908.

During the winter of 1912, instead of football, Johnny chose to play baseball for the Adelaide Baseball Club which included many well-known cricketers. This of course would have improved his fielding skills leading up to next cricket season. He became a strong advocate for cricketers to play baseball.

Club and First-Class Cricket

Based on his record at St Peter's College and after only three matches in A Grade Cricket with University, Johnny was included in the State practice squad for the following season and then was chosen to play a first-class match against Western Australia in early November 1912. This was prior to the start of the Sheffield Shield contests against New South Wales in December and Victoria commencing in December. He made a century on debut in the first innings against WA.

Remarkably after scoring a century in even time against Western Australia, he then followed with 158 for University later in November, leaving little doubt that he would be selected to play in the first Sheffield Shield match of the 1912/13 season against New South Wales, starting on the 20th December 1912 at Adelaide Oval.

Johnny, as predicted, was chosen in the State team to play NSW. Batting at number four, he managed a creditable 64 (run out) with his 50 coming in only 65 minutes. In South Australia's mammoth first innings score of 569, future AUCC team mate Donald Steele, who was still a student at Prince Alfred College, scored 113 not out. Remarkably he had already made his first-class debut in January of the previous season. South Australia defeated the NSW side, which included Victor Trumper, comfortably by an innings and 53 runs.

In December 1912 Johnny received advice that he had passed his Physics examination at the University.

In the New Year he was included in the South Australian team to tour the eastern states. In the match against Victoria, which SA won, Johnny did not have any success with the bat, but took a couple of wickets ( 11, 3 and 2 wickets for 23).
In the following match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the South Australian attack was thrashed by McCartney (125) and a revengeful Trumper (201 no) in NSW's first innings of 513 runs. SA was never really in the game despite a century by Clem Hill in SA's first innings of 331. Chasing 497 runs, some improved batting by the upper order in the second innings, did give SA a very faint hope of victory. After a duck in the first innings Johnny did well in the second innings against with a dashing 95. He and Gordon Campbell put on 125 in 80 minutes for the 7th wicket which gave them a slim chance of overcoming NSW's huge two innings tally. Unfortunately, they still fell 84 runs short.

Shortly after returning from NSW, Johnny was reported in early February to be visiting Terowie, a vibrant little railway town, in the mid-north of South Australia. While staying there he found time to play for the local team against the Burra Ramblers. He made 100 retired and took 3 wickets.

Later in February 1913, Johnny was pleased to be invited to play for "The Rest of Australia" against New South Wales in Victor Trumper's testimonial match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Having just turned 20 years of age the previous month and considering this was just his first season of first-class cricket, it shows that he was considered one of the most promising young players in Australia.

Despite the loss to NSW in January, South Australia, with the earlier wins against NSW and Victoria, meant they were able to win the Sheffield Shield if they defeated Victoria in the return match at Adelaide Oval starting on 1st March 1913
South Australia won the match comfortably, and in doing so took out their 3rd Sheffield Shield, thanks mainly to Jack Crawford's outstanding 1st innings performances of 163 runs and 8 wickets for 66.

Johnny made only 19 and 17, however for the team to win the Sheffield Shield in his first season would have been a great thrill and the start of the 1913/14 season probably would have not come quick enough.

With 209 runs from his 7 innings at an average of nearly 30 and a couple of wickets, was a fine effort and he should have been better for the experience.

The cricket journalists in several States were in high praise of both of Adelaide University's State representatives, Don Steele and Johnny Moyes.

For Adelaide University, because of his State Team commitments, Johnny had only six innings for 275 runs and picked up a handy 11 wickets. The team finished sixth in the eight-team competition but probably was only one win short of fourth place.

It was common for SACA District teams to visit country areas at the end of the season and during the Easter holidays in 1913 Johnny was a member of the AUCC touring party that played matches at Angaston and Gawler.

In the winter of 1913, Johnny played Baseball again for the Adelaide team and his skill at the game was shown when he was chosen to play in an exhibition game featuring the best players in the State.

There were high hopes for the University team at the start of the 1913/14 cricket season. The influx of Johnny Moyes, Don Steele and Clarrie "Nip" Pellew over the last two seasons had given the team the backbone of three fine batsmen. Johnny was also taking on an off-field role with the Club and was representing the AUCC along with Ken Steele on the SACA Committee. Johnny was also keen to see the Club play a triangular contest against Sydney and Melbourne University in early 1914.

The District Cricket season began moderately well for University with three wins (one outright), a draw and two losses before the Christmas break. This left University in third place on the premiership table. Johnny was establishing himself as a fine all-rounder and after some fine bowling performance was heading the SACA District Cricket bowling averages after the first 5 games. Although he had not struck form with the bat, having only a top score of 45, he was still 6th on the SACA District batting averages. His bowling figures had been boosted following University's outright win was against Sturt at University Oval. On a rain affected wicket, Johnny had the remarkable bowling figures of 5 wickets for 1 run including 4 wickets in an over. Incredibly Sturt were dismissed for 8 runs in their 2nd innings which is the lowest score ever recorded in SACA A Grade cricket history.

University had four players selected to make the eastern states tour to play New South Wales and Victoria in the first two Sheffield Shield matches of the 1913/14 season. Included were batsman Don Steele and his older brother Ken, who was University's opening bowler, young St Peter's College star batsman Nip Pellew and Johnny Moyes.

In December 1913, South Australia defeated New South Wales at the SCG, with Johnny contributing a valuable 41 in SA's 2nd innings. In the match against Victoria, he scored an attractive 53 in the first innings, however the home side chased down 353 to defeat South Australians outright after trailing on the first innings. Late in December, Johnny was advised that he had passed English, a Senior Public Exam subject, which was not part of his science course, so he had done this subject privately. It would later serve him well later, as a journalist and author.

In early January 1914, New South Wales played South Australia in Adelaide. It was a match where a win was vital for SA's chances of retaining the Sheffield Shield. Unfortunately, the visitors trounced the home side with Johnny scoring only 21 and 11.

The touring New Zealand team played South Australia the week after the loss to NSW, however Johnny was unavailable. It was reported that he had previously arranged to travel home to Port Augusta. It was perhaps a missed opportunity to find some form after having only had a modest season and District Cricket would be resuming on the 24th January. Hurtle Willsmore, a University team mate was given an opportunity to play his first game for SA in Johnny’s place.

Johnny did not line up for University in the match against East Torrens when the District competition resumed. They were also missing the Steele brothers and Taylor, all who were all on holidays. It was not unusual for the University team to have players unavailable during the University vacation. The University team without its star players, made a creditable 304 runs, but East Torrens won comfortably amassing 460 with "Ernie" Mayne scoring 254 not out. Ken Steele and Johnny's bowling was sorely missed. With seven rounds of matches now completed, the loss would make it harder for University to finish higher on the premiership table than last season.

Somewhat mysteriously, Johnny was also unavailable for University in the following two matches and it may have been that he had been unwell. A later newspaper report indicated that he had suffered some "indisposition" earlier in the year.

In Round 8 University lost to North Adelaide and then had a narrow loss to East Torrens in Round 9. Remarkably even after these two losses the team was still hanging on to fourth spot with only the three wins for the season.
After the earlier loss to Victoria in Melbourne in December 1913 and the loss to NSW in early January, South Australia and Victoria played the return Sheffield Shield fixture in mid-February 1914 at Adelaide Oval. South Australia would need to defeat Victoria to even the ledger. Despite not playing any District games over the last month, Johnny was still selected in the South Australian team along with University team mates Nip Pellew and Hurtle Willsmore. South Australia defeated the Victorians, largely due to Clem Hill's century in the 1st innings, Jack Crawford's 11 wickets for the match and handy contributions by other players. Moyes scored a useful 41 in the first innings and 31 in the second innings. Unfortunately, despite this win, New South Wales was awarded the Sheffield Shield based on a quotient of runs scored and wickets taken during the season. This system was used when teams had the same number of wins.

The mystery of Johnny's non appearances for University in January and February was heightened when he was reported to be staying in the mid-north town of Terowie where he turned out for the local team again and scored 89. The local press referred to his absence as a "sojourn in the country".

Johnny finally returned from Terowie for University’s mid-March Round 10 clash against Adelaide. His belated return to the University team produced only 11 runs and 2 wickets for 55. University lost for the second time in the season to Adelaide and slipped to 6th position on the premiership table.

A good win against West Torrens in the final match of the season saw University finish 5th out of the 8 teams. Johnny finished off a disappointing year with the bat scoring only 16 in the match but picked up two wickets giving him 18 wickets for the season.

At the end of the season University hosted a combined team from the north of South Australia. Following that match they again played matches in Angaston and Gawler over the Easter weekend.

Johnny was improving his level of fitness during the winter of 1914 and continued to play at first base with the Adelaide Baseball team. Surprisingly, after not having played since his days at St Peter's College, he also decided to play football with the Adelaide University Football Club.

In a twist of fate, the Adelaide University Football Club and the Adelaide Baseball Club made the grand-final that year and both matches were scheduled to be played on the afternoon of 19 Sept 1914. It would have been a difficult decision for Johnny to make, but he chose to play in the baseball final. Adelaide won the baseball and University lost the football premiership match to Semaphore Centrals.

At the end of the cricket season and during the winter months there had been a lot of discussion about the possible selection of Johnny Moyes in the Australian cricket team to tour South Africa. It eventuated that four South Australians were selected including Johnny and former University wicketkeeper Gordon Campbell.

The tour of South Africa was to last five and a half months with twenty matches, including five Tests. These were scheduled for Durban, Cape Town and three matches in Johannesburg. All the travelling arrangements for the players were in place.
However, with war clouds gathering in Europe, the South African Cricket Association sent a cable on 13 August 1914 to the Australian Cricket Board of Control, advising that the tour needed to be pushed back in expectation that “the fuss in Europe” would be over quickly. Of course, this tour was never going to happen, as Australia soon committed its men in support of Britain and ultimately the conflict would last five years.

The South Australian Cricket Association, after serious discussion and consideration, decided that the 1914/15 District Cricket Season should go ahead. Several University players had already enlisted to serve with the Australian Imperial Force and were already in Camp undergoing training in preparation for overseas service. They were, however, able to get leave on most weekends to play their sport. Perhaps of lesser concern, was a critical water shortage, which affected the early preparation of wickets, causing a delay to the start of the season.

The Adelaide University Cricket Club as usual held its AGM in September with Johnny being elected as Club Secretary and again a delegate to the SACA.

When the local cricket season did eventually get underway on the 17th October 1914, Johnny was in much better condition than last season and struck form immediately and would continue that form with bat and ball throughout the District and Sheffield Shield season. University had three wins in the first four rounds and then in the fifth round which concluded in early January 1915 they had to forfeit to Glenelg. This was due to unavailablity of players due to the University vacation and some could not get leave from the A.I.F. Camp. Despite this the team was still in a position to press for the premiership with a good finish to the season.

Johnny's study at University towards a science degree had been perhaps of secondary importance to his sporting activities. To this stage after three years at University he had only the equivalent of passes in first year Inorganic Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry, the later having completed in the November 1914 examinations.

In the following match unavailability was still a problem with University missing five of their best players and a loss to top side East Torrens was not suprising. Johnny was reported to be staying on a "station" in NSW after completion of the interstate match against Victoria and was also due to play in the match in Sydney the following week.

Johnny was available again after the end of the Sheffield Shield season and in the return match against Glenelg made his highest score of the season with 146 runs.

Coming to the last match of the season there were still issues with water supplies and there were doubts whether a pitch could be prepared at University Oval. A supply was found and the match against West Torrens went ahead on the home ground. In that match Johnny managed only 7 runs and 1 wicket in a loss to a West Torrens side that also had a poor season.

The loss in the last match against West Torrens saw University finish in sixth position which concluded another disappointing year. Unavailability of State players in January and February and with some taking vacations did not improve their chances.

South Australia had a poor season in the Sheffield Shield competition in 1914/15. The all-round talents of Jack Crawford were sorely missed after he relinquished his contract with the SACA and moved New Zealand. He had toured Australia with the English team in 1907/08 and then decided to come to South Australia late in 1909 after a dispute with the Surrey County Cricket Club. He proved himself to be one of the finest all-rounders to play for the State.

On arrival Crawford had played District Cricket with East Torrens and was included in the last three Sheffield Shield matches of the 1909/10 season and assisted South Australia to take out the Sheffield Shield. His performances in the 1913/14 season were also a large factor in South Australia winning the Shield again. In his time with South Australia, Crawford played 22 matches scoring 1,512 runs at an average of 40.86 and took 120 wickets at 23.86.

Johnny Moyes did not have a good 1914/15 season for South Australia scoring only 142 runs at 17.75 with a top score of 61. He managed to take only 1 wicket from 25 overs.

During the winter months of 1915 under the clouds of War in Europe, Johnny continued playing both Baseball and Football. The Adelaide University football team he got off to a good start with a victory against Johnny’s old school with Johnny being in the best players with 6 goals. Even though he had enlisted in the AIF by mid-July, as did many of his team mates, he was able to get leave. The Amateur League competition continued to the completion of the season. University had a successful year led by Nip Pellew, only to lose to Semaphore Centrals in the semi-final.

Johnny also found time again to play baseball with the Adelaide Club, however with many of their players now serving in the AIF, they were less of a force in the 1915 season.

World War I

With Australia now having sent additional reinforcements overseas following the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, it was a discussion point during the winter months whether the 1915/16 cricket season would go ahead. Early in the piece, New South Wales and Victoria were suggesting that the Sheffield Shield competition would be called off.

It was soon clear that the Sheffield Shield competition had to be abandoned, however the SACA after much debate decided that it would be important for the local district competition to continue in some form for the 1915/16 season. Although many players had already embarked to serve overseas, it was considered good for morale, in uncertain times, for those still available (able to get leave from Camp) to continue to play their club sport if they could. Also, a consideration was that many of the younger players (including those still at school or university) were still not old enough to enlist or would be required to complete their courses, particularly those doing medicine.

Johnny had enlisted at the Keswick Barracks and undergone his medical examination at the Mitcham Camp on 13th July 1915. At an athletic 6ft tall (183cm) and 163lbs (74kg), he was accepted for service overseas with the Australian Imperial Forces.

The Adelaide University Cricket Club as usual held their AGM in September, but with Johnny having already enlisted and in camp, undergoing officer training, he had resigned as the Club secretary. The Adelaide University Team were to have at least nine A Grade players from the previous year having already enlisted or would during the 1915/16 season.

Having reached the rank of Lieutenant in the Cadets at St Peter's College Cadets, Johnny was initially sent to NCO (Non-commissioned Officer) School which he completed with the rank of Sergeant. Having showed leadership qualities, he was then sent on immediately to Officer Training School and by September had passed all the examinations. He was commissioned as an officer with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was soon to be allocated to a Unit.

The cricket season was underway on the 9th October 1915 with University at home playing Glenelg. Naturally Johnny being in Camp would have had little opportunity for practice and it showed with him getting out for a duck on the second ball he faced and not taking a wicket. It was reported that he had been suffering from influenza.

University still won comfortably, with former PAC student Howard Rayner, scoring 167 (24 fours and 3 sixes). Rayner would be announced as winner of the Rhodes Scholarship in December 1915.

Johnny returned to form the following match when he and Willsmore routed the weakened North Adelaide team for only 24 runs (2 players absent) in the 1st innings. He then opened the batting with Rayner who again was in good form scoring 82 along with Johnny's 73. In his usual attacking fashion, Johnny had scored his tally while Rayner had only contributed 11. University won the match outright with Johnny taking 5 wickets for 30 runs in North Adelaide's 2nd innings.
The third match against Port Adelaide required the team to catch the 1.35pm train from Adelaide Railway Station to Alberton Oval. It appeared that most of the University players who had enlisted and in Camp were able to get leave.

The game against Port Adelaide would be Johnny's last game for the 1915/16 season due to his increased AIF Commitments. Although University lost, he top scored with 68. This would also be his last game for the Adelaide University Cricket Club. Without the war-time interruption of his sporting career and university studies and cancellation of the tour of South Africa, at just 23 years of age one can only speculate what the future may have held.

War Service

Johnny embarked on the 11th January 1916 aboard the HMAT A30 "Borda" for service in Europe. Just prior to his departure, on New Year's Day his engagement was announced to Freda Christensen who had earlier come to Adelaide from New South Wales. Like Johnny, she had an association with the Roach family in Terowie, but it is unclear how and when they had met. It could, however, explain Johnny’s visits to the mid-north town.

Second Lieutenant Alban George "Johnny" Moyse on passage from Australia to Europe with the 48th Battalion, disembarked in Egypt in February 1916. It was the common practice to spend time there to undergo further training in preparation for future deployment to the battlefields of France. The training Camp was located at Tel el Kebir which was located on the southern side ("sweet side") of the Suez Canal. In April 1916 Johnny was hospitalised for a week with severe diarrhoea.

The 48th Battalion was mobilised after the period of training in Egypt and arrived in England in early July. After a short stay at the Rollestone Camp in Wiltshire, the troops were deployed to France on 21 July 1916. Johnny was in France on the Western Front from 31 July 1916 and was promoted to Lieutenant in the field. After less than two weeks of action he suffered a gunshot wound to the knee at Pozières on 11 August 1916 and was hospitalised and repatriated back to England for treatment and rehabilitation. While in England and having regained some of his fitness, Johnny played in an A.I.F. cricket match which raised funds for a hospital for blind soldiers.

Johnny was back in France by 1 November 1916 and was promoted to the rank of Captain. Less than two weeks later an attack of influenza had him back in hospital in London. A severe lung infection followed, requiring several months of treatment and recuperation. He was able to return to France in February 1917 and was reunited with his Unit on 16 March 1917.

By 13 April 1917, he was back at the front lines and during the First Battle of Bullecourt, Johnny was one of the 435 casualties suffered by the 48th Battalion when he was shot in the thigh. After another period of hospitalisation and convalescence in England, he was back in the field by 3rd August 1917 and shortly after his return he was promoted to be a Temporary Major. With such a high casualty rates, promotions were common but not without merit. He then remained with his Battalion, apart from a period of leave in December 1917, until June 1918. The 48th Battalion had been withdrawn during the early months of the European winter of 1917, but it then proceeded to Belgium in January 1918 where it played an important defensive role near Dernancourt during the German's Spring Offensive. Johnny was awarded the Military Cross in June 1918 for his outstanding leadership during the five-month period October 1917 - February 1918.

It is hard to fully imagine all that Johnny went through during his time in France and Belgium and apart from his own battle scars, Johnny would have known many of those who were killed in action or seriously wounded. This would have included some of his St Peter's College and Adelaide University football and cricketing teammates, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice!

Service & Casualty Form - Major Alban George Moyes 48th Battalion

These Service and Casualty Forms show that Johnny was twice wounded. He suffered a shrapnel wound to the left knee at Pozieres in August 1916 and then at the disastrous First Battle of Bullecourt in April 1917 he received a gunshot wound to the right thigh. It was later reported that these wounds restricted his ability to continue to play longer forms of cricket because any extended length of time in the field resulted in considerable discomfort.

Military Cross Citation Details

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He successfully led his company through extremely heavy enemy barrage to the relief of a battalion, which he accomplished with very few casualties, afterwards organizing the defence with great skill, and greatly influencing his men by his personal example and courage. He displayed great resource and ability in keeping up communications with his headquarters, even under the heaviest barrage, and he contributed largely to the successful holding of the line by his battalion.'

Source: 'Commonwealth of Australia Gazette' No. 173 - Date: 7th November 1918

Military Cricket Matches

There had been the occasional opportunity for Johnny to play in some cricket matches in England during his periods of convalescence. Shortly after being awarded the Military Cross he was promoted to Major and while on leave in England during July 1918, Johnny was invited to play a cricket match with the "Dominions" team against a combined England Servicemen's side at Lords. In September1918 a respiratory infection resulted in a case of pleurisy and admission to hospital again, but he recovered in time to play in a second match at the Oval in November. Many of the Australians including his Adelaide University teammate Nip Pellew and future one in Sydney, Charlie Macartney, would stay on after the War and join the Australian Services Team that would tour England and then South Africa on their way home.

Shortly after the Armistice, the MCC contacted the Australian Cricket Board of Control regarding a possible Australian Services Team tour of England and mentioned Johnny as a prospective team member. He decided not to join the team.

After his release from the 3rd Australian General Hospital (London) in mid-October, he was the repatriated because of his poor health, back to Australia, embarking on 8th November 1918. He would soon be reunited with his family and fiancée waiting at home.

Post WW1

After arriving back in Australia on 29th December 1918, Johnny made a brief visit to Sydney for his brother Morton's wedding. Johnny’s stop-over in Sydney did not go un-noticed with the resumption of cricket being keenly awaited. Shortly after his brother's wedding it was reported that Johnny would be not returning to South Australia and would be moving to Victoria.

The motivation for the move to Victoria and not continue his studies at Adelaide University are not clear, but no doubt during the War, Johnny would have on occasions pondered over his future if he survived the conflict. It was reported that he would settle on a property at a Pakenham apple orchard 25 miles from Melbourne.

After a quick trip to Adelaide in late January 1919 to collect his belongings, Johnny headed to Victoria. It had been reported that he had decided to play with friends, Warwick Armstrong and Vernon Ransford at the Melbourne Cricket Club.

By 8th February 1919 Johnny was back playing cricket with the Melbourne Cricket Club. In his first innings, he was dismissed by Clarrie Grimmett after scoring a quick fire 48 against South Melbourne. Grimmett had moved to Sydney from New Zealand in 1914 and after three years moved to Victoria to play with South Melbourne. This was prior to his move to South Australia in 1924.

Johnny, now 26 years of age, had left his fiancée "Freda" back in Australia for the course of WW1. She now joined him in Victoria and on 28 June 1919, he married 30-year-old Frederica Sophia Honor Christensen at St Paul's Anglican Church, Fairfield Victoria.

After their marriage the couple moved into a home in the Essendon area and therefore Johnny became residentially bound to play with the Essendon Cricket Club for the 1919/20 season. His reputation, particularly his leadership qualities, was recognised and he was elected A -Grade captain in his first year at the club.
Johnny was also selected to captain a Victorian 2nd X1 team to play Tasmania in Launceston later in January 1920.

After a slow start in his first season with Essendon, he started to show some form in the New Year and in late January made a fine century against South Melbourne. Johnny was chosen in the Victorian team to play against South Australia in Adelaide at the end of February. In that match he scored 55 in the 1st innings.

Just before the start of the next cricket season Johnny and Freda welcomed their first child, a boy (John Frederick), on 19th September 1920.

Despite a modest 1919/20 season for Essendon in district cricket, it was anticipated Johnny would have better form in the coming season, having had an extra 12 months to recover from his War injuries.

An earlier than usual start to the Sheffield Shield matches in the 1920/21 season meant Johnny had little chance to show form to press for selection in the Victorian team. He was considered a class above many of the other suitors and therefore still a chance for State selection. His attacking batting was highly rated by newspaper journalists who were calling for attractive cricket to be played. Johnny was selected in the squad to play South Australia in Adelaide in late October 1920 but was made 12th man and did not get an opportunity to play against his former State.

A week later after the conclusion of the match in Adelaide, Johnny was called into the Victorian side to play against the touring England team when captain Warwick Armstrong was unavailable due to illness. Former South Australian and East Torrens player Edgar "Ernie" Mayne who had moved from South Australia to Victoria after the War, took over the captaincy of the Victorian State team in Armstrong's absence.

Batting first against the powerful England X1, Victoria made a poor start. The middle order built up a respectable tally of 274 and Johnny batting at number seven contributing 19 runs. Worse was to come when Victoria collapsed to be all out for 85 in their second innings giving a total which was still well short of England's 1st Innings of 3 wickets for 418. Johnny made a duck in the 2nd innings, but certainly was not the only batsman to fail in both innings.

Johnny returned to form in early 1921 with a double century scoring 208 (retired) in 210 minutes. Scoring at even time or better was always one of the hallmarks of his batting when in form.

Johnny's return to form was obviously noted and he was invited to tour New Zealand with an Australian 2nd X1, he had to advise the selectors that he would be unavailable because of business commitments in Sydney.

At the start of the 1921/22 season Johnny was elected to the Victorian Cricket Association Committee as a representative of the Essendon Cricket Club and was later elevated to the VCA Executive Committee. He was Essendon's captain again for his third season.

The early matches in 1921/22 were disrupted by wet weather, which made it impossible to gauge players form and in December 1921 Johnny played in an Interstate trial match which was to assist the selection of the Victorian State team. Scoring 47 runs in 37 minutes he "executed some excellent strokes".
In December 1921 Johnny, acting both as captain and team manager, took a Victorian 2nd X1 team to Sydney.

Early in 1922, Johnny and Freda announced that they would be moving to New South Wales. After working with the Repatriation Department for 3 years, Johnny advised that he had secured a position in Sydney.

In his last two games with Essendon in January 1922 he scored parting centuries. Against St Kilda Johnny played a "beautiful innings" of 140, reaching his hundred in only 90 minutes. The following match against North Melbourne he scored 130 runs in 105 minutes. In typical Moyes fashion he had scored his runs in better than even time and Johnny, having only just turned 29, was now in the form of his life and clearly could have still played more first-class cricket.

At the end of January, Johnny captained a Victorian 2nd X1 side against a New South Wales 2nd X1 team in Melbourne. The team included a few “Promising Victorian Colts” including three with the names, Grimmett, Woodfull and Ponsford.

Johnny Moyes had made quite an impact in his three short years in Victoria, in particular his contribution to the Essendon Cricket Club.

At a “smoke concert” given in the Essendon Club’s pavilion, Johnny was given a “great send-off”. It was the opinion of some at the function, that they would see him back in Victoria as a member of the NSW cricket team before long. Johnny was presented with the bat that he scored his last two centuries with and a silver rose bowl as a token of the club’s appreciation.

On arriving in Sydney, the Moyes family initially moved in with Freda's mother at her home at Rosevale. Along with Johnny's decision to move to Sydney for employment, Freda would also be closer to her mother, who was on her own after Freda’s father had died two years earlier.

Johnny was quick to join the Gordon Cricket Club where his war-time mate, Charley Macartney, played. It also was Victor Trumper's old club, who sadly had died from a kidney disease in 1915 at only 37 years of age. Previously, while in Sydney on one occasion before the War, Johnny had played in a single match for Gordon at the invitation of the great Australian batsman. Victor's younger brothers Charles and Sid were also playing for Gordon and be teammates of Johnny during his time with the club.

After a failure in his first match with Gordon in February 1922, Johnny followed up with 62 runs in 35 minutes against St George.

The innings against St George heralded that Johnny was still in good touch, but no one could have anticipated what was to follow. He would become a Sydney sensation!

Johnny's feat had his innings compared with some of the great Victor Trumper's run fests and the newspapers ran multiple features about the innings and his background. Johnny very quickly had made his name well known in Sydney's sporting community. His opening partnership of 263 with Joe Taylor (scoring only 58) remains the highest 1st wicket partnership for any grade in the history of the Gordon Cricket Club. At 29 years of age many considered Johnny would make the NSW side next season.

Johnny and Freda were blessed with their second child early in the off season, when their second son, Allan George Moyes, who was born on 3rd May 1922. His birth place was registered as Essendon, so the family must have temporarily returned to their former home in Victoria.

Journalism

When the family moved back to NSW, Johnny commenced part-time work as a journalist. He was to be the Sydney correspondent for Melbourne's Sporting Globe. His role was to report on a variety of sports and Johnny's first article was on the interstate baseball series held in Melbourne in August 1922. This of course was a sport which Johnny had a good understanding of, as it was a sport which he excelled at before the War in South Australia. It would be his knowledgeable reporting and opinions on cricket that he would excel at in the future. During the cricket season he would report on all Sydney grade cricket, State and International games as well as discussing various matters of interest relating to administration of the game.

For the complete biography including photographs, newspaper articles, documents, family legacy and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached
(128 pages)