Name
Alfred Charles Moore
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/10/1914
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9387
Royal Scottish Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 12 and 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, Leavesden, Leavesden Asylum/Hospital War Memorial, Leavesden, Abbots Langley Village Memorial, Hurst War Memorial , Berkshire.
Biography
Alfred Charles was born 10 Jan 1889 in Hurst, Twyford, Berks., he was the third son of Michael Moore and Susan. His father was a General Labourer and Army Pensioner from County Kerry in Ireland, Alfred was one of four sons and four daughters.
On 21 Dec 1904 he enlisted with Berkshire Militia as Private 7323 and transferred to the Regular Army on 18 Feb 1905 enlisting as Private (Bandsman) 9387 in 1 Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. His Brother David must have enlisted at the same time as he is recorded as Private 9388. Alfred served in Egypt, India and on the 1911 Census he is recorded at Barracks in Roberts Heights, Pretoria. South Africa. About 1912 he would have been placed on Army Reserve but was recalled at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914. The Hertfordshire Advertiser (17th October 1914) listed Alfred in the Leavesden Asylum Roll of Honour, and he was reported in the same newspaper as an Asylum Man in the 12th December 1914 edition. However, it is not known exactly when he worked at the Asylum, or how he came to be there. The Leavesden Parish Records of October 1914, confirmed that he had worked as an Attendant.
The 1st Battalion of the Royal Scottish Fusiliers had returned to their base at Gosport on 30th July 1914 in anticipation of the mobilisation order which came on 4th August. Over the next few days around 750 reservists reported for duty and the Battalion grew to approximately one thousand soldiers. On 13th August the battalion entrained for Southampton and crossed to Le Harve. After two days in rest camp the Battalion took trains eastwards and took part in the Battle of Mons, and the ensuing retreat, and subsequent Battles of The Marne and The Aisne. The battalion was finally withdrawn from the Line for some rest on 1st October. By 12th October they were back in the trenches and involved in the Battle of La Bassee, which saw them in action until 24th October – the day that Alfred died. He was killed in action and his remains were not recovered.
Alfred’s death was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine “The first of our lists, alas grows longer. Arthur Charles Moore was killed in action in France.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £8 3s 1d was paid to his mother. Brother Maurice served in Royal Scots Fusiliers from 1 Jan 1900 through the Great War and being Mentioned in Despatches for service in Salonika 1918 as Regimental Sergeant Major. Brother David served in 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers as a Regular from 1905 and was recalled from Reserve at outbreak of Great War. He was acting Sergeant 9388 when he died of Wounds on 8 May 1915 at Ypres, having survived the actions in which Alfred was killed .Brother Thomas Michael served with 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers from outbreak of Great War landing at Zeebrugge on 6 Oct 1914 and surviving the War.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
