MORIARTY, Joseph Fitzgerald Jordan
| Service Number: | 4168 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 November 1915, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 17th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1 January 1889 |
| Home Town: | Bondi, Waverley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | St Francis R.C. School, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Stage hand |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Mont St Quentin, France, 30 August 1918, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu. France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4168, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Mar 1916: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 4168, 17th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' |
|
| 8 Mar 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4168, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of England, Sydney | |
| 30 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 4168, 17th Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4168 awm_unit: 17th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-08-30 |
His last day .....
The last day of Sony Moriarty as I can guess.....
He was part of the 2nd Division AIF Commanded by General Monash in his push to capture Peronne on the Somme River & all important high ground of Mont St Quentin.
Monash had a plan for Sony's 17th battalion to cross the Somme river on the 30th August from the Nth West, secure a bridge head at Halles & proceed to attack Mont St Quentin after a 5am Bombardment the following morning, the 31st August 1918 with other AIF Battalions from differing angles.
We know the plan didnt quite go to plan as the 17th couldn't cross the bridge at Omiecourt-Les-Clery due to heavy fire, so they moved down river to cross at Fuelliers at about 9am. They then fought their way to the western trenches of Clery-Sur Somme arriving at about 1.45pm. After heavy fighting & machine gun fire they continued in the trenches skirting to the north area of the town; to an area known as Eleu Alley.
During this day they cleared the German trenches with fierce hand to hand bayonet combat & grenades.
Until all the trenches East of Clery were cleared....the men rested as best they could & issued with Rum & Cigarettes.
Waiting for the 5.30am "Hop Over" on the final assault on Mont St Quentin, the next day.
However at 11pm a German Howitzer landed a 150mm shell as a direct hit on Pvt Thomas Power & LCP Joseph Moriarty killing them both instantly.
Just near this location they were buried, noted as 2 & 1/4 Miles Nth West of Peronne. He was later moved to Hem Farm Cemetery.
Submitted 24 April 2016 by John McElroy
Where was he ?
Joseph known by family as "Sony" fought in notable battles of -1st battle of Poelcapple/ Passchendale, Broodseinde, German Spring Offensive, Amiens...& died 30th August 1918 in Clery whilst taking attack positions for the advance on Mont St Quentin.
Gunner Anderson describes his experience in Clery on the 30th August 1918.
" After leaving Somme River we came to the village of Clery, by name only then, as one could see no sign of a building anywhere, just a mass of wreckage. Whilst passing through this village we had the liveliest time experienced in the war. We rode through at a gallop, shells & shrapnel bursting continuously, our horses were just as scared as we were, an awful ordeal it was & the one place I will always remember. It took some maneuvering to get through as the road was blocked with debris, men horses, guns & wagons strewn everywhere. Shells were bursting almost at our feet & how lucky we were to get through that dreadful barrage, an experience which I never want to go through again"
Submitted 24 April 2016 by John McElroy
Who was he ?
Joseph Fitzgerald Jordan Moriarty born 1888 in Sydney, carried the names of his Grand Mother on his Mothers side that is the Jordan's of Darby Falls near Cowra. And his Grand Mother on his Fathers side the Fitzgerald's.
He was the much loved youngest brother in his family with a nick name of "Sony".
Brother to Herbet T, Catherine Helen "Kate" (Married McMillan), Mary, Annie May (married Phillips), Harold L & Clare M "Bubs".
Son to Timothy Moriarty of Temora NSW & Ann nee Grogan of Bowning NSW.
He attended St Joseph College Hunters Hill Sydney.
He was living at Bondi in Sydney at the time of enlistment, with his widowed Mother.
His sister "Kate" McMillan became the keeper of his war medals, after his mothers Ann's death.
Kate had two daughters Kathleen "Ka Ka" (married King) & Dorothy (married Minihan).
The King Family now holds "Sony's" war medals.
Writer John McElroy Grandson to Dorothy Minihan.
Submitted 24 April 2016 by John McElroy
Biography contributed by John McElroy
Lcp Joseph Fitzgerald Jordan Moriarty of "C company" 17th Battallion 2nd Division.
Was a Bondi Boy, the son of Tim Moriarty & Ann Grogan the much loved yougest son of 8 siblings...with the Nick name of "Sony".
He carried the name of his Grand mothers family on his Father side the Fitzgeralds of Kent, England & equally the name of his Grand mothers family on his Mothers side the Jordan's from Darby Falls Cowra.
He was killed at 11pm 30th August 1918 after a incredible day of combat which included hand to hand fighting; by a Howitzer 150mm artillery shell direct hit on his location. They were resting in the trenches East of Clery at the Jump off point for the Battle of Mont St Quentin, Peronne France; scheduled for 5am the following day. He was killed instantly by the explosion with Private Thomas Power.
He was well remembered & spoken of by Kate his older sister, my Great grandmother. He is well remembered to this day by the McElroy, Brogan, King, Smyth & Sullings families.
Your service and sacrifice remembered always.
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