HomeThe Men246 MOORE, William

246 MOORE, William

246 (716) Spr William Moore

246 (716) William Moore was 27 years old a sawmiller, born in Poplar, Middlesex England.

His journey and reasons for coming to Australia before the war is still to be explored and what little we know of William is unfortunately not sufficient for a man who made the ultimate sacrifice.

William was originally in the 1stFCE 1st Reinforcements under Lieut. Henry Bachtold. This unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 22 December 1914

William was with No.2 section on the morning of the landing at Gallipoli 25th April 1915 and was Killed in Action. The circumstances or witness reports of his death have still to be found. In a letter from 101 John Hoey Moore written to his mother, he mentions William Moore’s death on landing day and explains how William was shot in the head. John was concerned his mother may hear of the news and think it was John.

He was buried in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery (Plot I, Row C, Grave No. 22), Gallipoli, Turkey.

15 days before he died William had prepared a will giving the whole of his property to Miss Mary Anne Ground of 43 Gurney Rd, Stratford London England. Mary must have been his sweetheart in Poplar, Middlesex , where William was born and is later refered as his fiancée. He must have been deeply in love with Mary and missed her terribly.

Unfortunately the inventory of his effects on his death was a brown paper parcel containing just some photos and badges. Mary later received his memorial scroll, plaque and medals.
His brother Ernest was not so pleased about the will arrangements and letters that followed from Ernest were more concerned with money and the fact that Mary may have been entitled to it. The records office was not satisfied by his brothers claims as they stated the he had “ failed to establish his bona fides”. The Public Trustee was aware of the claims made by Ernest but also had no further correspondence to support any claim. So who was Ernest, and what of Mary Ground after receiving only sad mementos, did she move on and live a happy life.