Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Thomas Richard Moore
Service Number: S10770
Place of Birth: Morgan
Date of Birth: 1 April 1883
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 1 February 1917
Age at Enlistment: 33 years 9 months
Marital Status: Married
Next of Kin: Wife – Phoebe Moore
Occupation: Engine Driver
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Private, Field Artillery 33rd Reinforcements.
Involvement with WAFC:
Thomas, known as “Spinker”, played 96 games for WAFC from 1904 to 1914, 3 Australian Club Championship games between 1908 and 1911, and was a member of the 1912 premiership team. Having made his debut on 6 August 1904, Thomas returned from Broken Hill in 1908. He is mentioned in several WAFC Annual reports: 1909 as a key forward and State representative against Victoria; 1910 as the recipient of the Most Improved Player gold medal presented by C. Giffen Esq. of the WAFC Board; in 1912 he gained a special mention for his role as a ruckman and in 1914, for being awarded Life Membership for 10 years of service to the club.
The 1910 WAFC Annual Report states, “Moore made his name as a first-class follower. From the start it was apparent that this player was going to be a thorn in the side of opposing rucks. His solid work in this department in most strenuous games was the more remarkable when his great weight (16 stone 6lbs/105kg) is taken into consideration. The public were unstinted in their praise of his work, and the Press were unanimous that he was one of the best and fairest players in the League.”
Biographical details:
Thomas was the son of Thomas William Moore and Caroline Schell.
On his enlistment papers Thomas stated having had “4 years’ service with the Garrison Artillery of the Citizen Forces, 11/12 South African Campaign”. He carried out basic training as a Private, with B Coy at Mitcham Camp prior to further training with the Field Artillery 33rd Reinforcements at Maribyrnong, Victoria, as a Gunner from 24 October 1917 to 14 November. On 1 November the Army Medical Board assessed a congenital foot deformity he possessed and recommended he be re-enlisted for home service. Thomas had, “Enlisted in Adelaide … has been unable to do any marching and has been a cook since the first week of service… Able to carry on as cook with boots specially made.” (NAA WW1 Service Record). Consequently, Thomas was discharged as medically unfit on 14 November 1917. He died on 11 August 1950.
Source: NAA; B2455; Moore T R; Barcode 3006753.