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.

Moor was born 22 October 1896, in his mother's sister's home in Pollington Street, St. Kilda, Australia. Son of William Henry Moor (Auditor-General, Transvaal, retired) and Mrs. Moor, and nephew of the late Sir Ralph Moor, formerly High Commissioner for Southern Nigeria. He was educated at Cheltenham College, commissioned into the 3rd Battalion the Hampshire Regiment in October 1914, and was granted a Regular Commission on 1 August 1915.

After six months' training in England and Egypt, he went with the 2nd Battalion to the Dardanelles, and was at the landing at V Beach at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

His V.C. decoration was gazetted on the 24th July, 1915, when he was only 18 years of age.

"For most conspicuous bravery and resource on the 5th June, 1915, during operations South of Krithia, Dardenelles. When a detachment of a battalion on his left, which had lost all its officers, was rapidly retiring before a heavy Turkish attack, 2nd Lieutenant Moor immediately grasping the danger to the remainder of the line, dashed back some two hundred yards, stemmed the retirement, led back the men, and recaptured the lost trench. This young officer who only joined the Army in October, 1914, by his personal bravery and presence of mind saved a dangerous situation."

He was invalided home soon afterwards suffering from dysentery. After recovering he joined the 1st Battalion in France and was badly wounded in the arm. He returned to England, and before regaining the use of his arm-was appointed Aide-de-Camp (A.D.C.) to Major-General W. de L. 'Williams, C.B ., C.M.G., D.S.O., in France, where he gained the M.C. and Bar. Moor was promoted Lieutenant on 30 October 1916.

Military Cross citation: (gazetted 2 December 1918) "Lieutenant George Raymond Dallas Moor, V.C., Hampshire Regiment. 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."

Bar to Military Cross (gazetted 29 July 1919) "On October 20th, 1918, near to Pijpestraat, the 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."

Lieutenant-General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., in a narrative of the V.C. action, said, "I have often quoted this young Officer as being one of the bravest men I have met in this War."

Moor 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.

A copy of his Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum & Memorial Garden, Winchester, England.