W H Moore

W H Moore

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Lance Sergeant William Hugh Moore was the son of William John and Susan Moore, of Ardverness, Macosquin, Coleraine, Ireland. He had previously lived and served an apprenticeship under his father as a carpenter for five years in Greenock, Scotland. His mother and father had also lived there before moving to Coleraine during the war.

William joined the Australian army on the 12th of May 1915 at Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. After training he joined 9th Battalion and embarked from Australia via Suez and North Africa on the 20th of August 1915. He then transferred to the 49th Battalion, and then the 4th Australian Pioneers due to his carpentry skills that he had learned from his father. He landed in Marseille in southern France, on the 11th of June 1916.

A few months later during the 16th of August, William was promoted to Corporal, unfortunately this was because of Corporal Bertram Hugh Kneale, 3381 being killed a few weeks previous, on the 1st.

As the year ended, Corporal William Hugh Moore was admitted to hospital suffering from pleurisy on the 4th of November. He would remain there until early January. He re-joined his unit shortly before going to the 4th Infantry school for a month and then returning once again to the 4th Australian Pioneers during March.

The following month, on the 7th saw him being promoted again to Lance Sergeant. The previous Lance Sergeant who was called Sharpe had also been promoted the previous month.

During the month of June on the 24th, the pioneers were in camp when they were shelled heavily. They suffered 8 casualties, including Lance Sergeant Moore, who was wounded in the hand by shrapnel. As the camp was moved, William went to hospital. Here he would remain until August before returning for the last time.

The next few months passed as the 4th Australian Pioneers performed maintenance and repairs in various areas around France and Belgium on the front while also performing patrols and guards. As Christmas approached, they were given a day off and then treated with a meal and one and a half pints of beer. The next day, which was Boxing Day, they received fresh underwear and baths, their first since November. For reasons unknown, and unreported, Lance Sergeant William Hugh Moore was knocked over by a shell during that Day. The blast or the force was so strong that he hit the ground and fractured his spine in the mid back. Initially he felt only tingling in his feet. This soon deteriorated, and he was rushed to hospital. William was paralysed. He could no longer walk, twitched allot and had only partial sensations throughout that part of the body with no bowl or bladder control. His war was over.

Ten months passed. It was now October, William was in the military hospital in Sutton, Wiltshire, England. His condition had not improved. He had pneumonia now as well. This illness would ultimately take his life on the 21st.

According to records Lance Sergeant William Hugh Moore was buried on the 5th of December 1918 by his family, privately.

Date of Death: 21/10/1918 (Aged 31)

Service: Lance Sergeant, 4th Australian Pioneers

Service Number: 2418 Burial Location: East of Church.

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