Walter Gilbert Moore

Walter Gilbert Moore was born in 1893 at Zegon Burma and was the son of Walter James an army pensioner and Emily Moore née Webber, of The Hollies, Farndon Road, Newark-on-Trent His father Walter James was born in 1852 at Fort St George Madras, India and his mother Emily Webber was born in 1871 and they were married on 15th June 1892 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Walthamstow, Essex . His father was obviously stationed in Burma during the birth of his children, he had 9 children, sadly three however died in infancy or early childhood, his surviving children were Walter Gilbert b1893 Zegon, Burma, Winifred Emily b1897 Akyan, Burma, Ina Gertrude b1899 Fort Steadman, Burma, Elsie Edna b1901 Taungyi, Burma, Agnes Mildred b1903 Fort Steedman, Burma and Evelyn Hilda b1905 Fort Stedman, Burma. In the 1911 census the family are living at Thatone, London Road, New Balderton and are shown as Walter James 52 yrs an army pensioner, he is living with his wife Emily 40 yrs and their children, Walter Gilbert 18 yrs, Winifred Emily 14 yrs, Ina Gertrude 12 yrs, Elsie Edna 10 yrs, Agnes Mildred 8 yrs and Evelyn Hilda 6 yrs.

Lance Corporal Walter Gilbert Moore enlisted at Newark on 20th January 1913, he gave his age as 19 yrs and 11 months, he gave his occupation as that of an apprentice engineer. He was posted to the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He landed in France on 2nd March 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 12th October 1915 and to Corporal on 12th November 1915. Sherwood Foresters Archive: He was with the Territorials prior to outbreak of the war. He distinguished himself when at Loos in 1915 by bombing the Germans with hand grenades from an exposed position to keep them at bay whilst the trenches were repaired. He was recommended for the award of DCM and promoted to corporal. He was killed serving in the trenches near Foncquevilles and is buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (grave ref l.F.17).

His father Walter James Moore was a professional soldier and saw service in India and Burma with the Lincolnshire Regiment. When war broke out he offered his service to the Military and re enlisted on 13th October 1914 he was 55 yrs and 304 days old, was a civil engineer and was living at The Hollies , Farndon Road, Newark. He served with the 3rd battalion Lincolnshire Regiment as a Sergeant Major and went out to France on 23rd March 1917, he was returned to England on 14th July 1918 and was posted to the Labour Corps. He was discharged from the army on 12th December 1918 aged 60 yrs, he was no longer fit for war service. Article published 12th July 1916 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of Walter James & Emily Moore of The Hollies, Farndon Road, Newark. Comes from a soldiering family and when only between eight and nine years of age, travelled alone from Burmah to Southwell. Educated at the Minster Grammar School and was for a time a member of the Cathedral choir. Engaged as an apprentice fitter at Messrs. Simpsons and subsequently joined Hornbys’ at Grantham as junior draughtsman. Had been in the local Territorials for about three years prior to the outbreak of war. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicious gallantry at the Hohenzollern redoubt, 13th Oct. 1915 (Battle of Loos). He remained for three-quarters of an hour on the German side of a barricade, bombing the enemy, successfully covering a retreat and relieving a serious position