George Raymond Dallas Moor

George Raymond Dallas Moor VC, MC & Bar (22 October 1896–3 November 1918) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born in Australia and educated at Cheltenham College, following the outbreak of the First World War, Moor was commissioned as a second lieutenant on probation in the 3rd Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, British 29th Division on 29 October 1914. [LondonGazette|issue=29120|supp=yes|startpage=3423|date=6 April 1915|accessdate=2008-07-25] He was 18 years old when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC, the citation in the "London Gazette", 23 July 1915 reads:

The action actually took place early on 6 June during the Turkish counter-attack following the Third Battle of Krithia. Moor "stemmed the retirement" by shooting four of his own men. In the words of the 29th Division's commander General Henry de Lisle, Moor shot "the leading four men and the remainder came to their senses."

Moor was promoted to lieutenant on 30 October 1916. [LondonGazette|issue=29883|supp=yes|startpage=12665|date=29 December 1916|accessdate=2008-07-25] He was later awarded the Military Cross (MC) and bar (second award). The citation for his MC read:

quote|Lt. George Raymond Dallas Moor, V.C., Hamp. R.

For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He carried out a daylight reconnaissance all along the divisional front in face of heavy machine-gun fire at close range, in many places well in front of our foremost posts. [LondonGazette|issue=31043|supp=yes|startpage=14254|date=29 November 1918|accessdate=2007-12-11]

At the time of the second award he was ADC to the General Officer Commanding 30th Division, and an acting General Staff Officer, Grade III. The citation in the "London Gazette", 29 July 1919 reads:

quote|On October 20th, 1918, about Pijpestraatthe vanguard commander was wounded and unable to carry on. Owing to heavy shelling and machine-gun fire, the vanguard came to a standstill. Lieut. Moor, Acting General Staff Officer, who was reconnoitring the front, noticed this ; he immediately took charge, and by his fearless example and skilful leading continued the advance until the objective was reached. He has a positive contempt for danger, and distinguishes himself on every occasion.

(M.C. gazetted 2nd December, 1918.) [LondonGazette|issue=31480|supp=yes|startpage=9700|date=29 July 1919|accessdate=2007-12-11]

Moor was in poor health as a result of his war experiences, and he died of Spanish Influenza at Mouvaux, France, on 3 November 1918. He is buried in the Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, which is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. [ [http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=193325 Casualty details—Moor, George Raymond Dallas] ]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum & Memorial Garden, Winchester, England.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/OC_victoria_crosses.html George MOOR of Cheltenham College]