Samuel Mellington Moore

Samuel Mellington Moore

The Cold-Footed Mob - A History of the 5th ABGROC, page 79
Personal Information
Date of Birth	c1886
Place of Birth	Workington, Cumberland, England
Death	20 Apr 1963
Place of Death	Concorde Repatriation Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales
Age at Enlistment	30 years, 8 months
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; 135 lbs 61.235 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Locomotive driver
Religion	Methodist
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Ada Moore
Military Information
Reg Number	944
Date of Enlistment	9 Jan 1917
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	Railway Unit Section 3, posted to 59th Railway Company (5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company)
Date of Embarkation	29 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A28 Miltiades
Date of Return	22 Jun 1919 ‒ 3 Aug 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Königin Luise
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Prior to emigrating to Australia had served for 4 years with the Border Regiment.

Electoral Roll entry 1916 - No 1 Mill Jarrahdale, engine driver.

War Service

Recruited specifically for the railways unit, the day after entering camp he was appointed 2nd Corporal. Trained with and travelled with the unit to England via Durban, Cape Town, and Freetown in Sierra Leone. In England they undertook further training at the St Lucia Barracks in Borden for almost a month before proceeding overseas to France via Southampton on 11 May 1917. Their transport to France was a paddle steamer, a number of which served the UK to France route carrying troops and supplies.

In France their initial responsibility was what was known as the Midland Line, delivering weapons, ammunition, and food and clothing to units in the Ypres battle front. After a month at Audruicq the unit redeployed to Peselhoek. Peselhoek was, and remains to this day, a hamlet north of Poperinge. It was several miles west of the front line in the Ypres salient. During the Great War it was developed into a major railway location that was key to the supply of goods and ammunition to the British Second Army holding Ypres.

Sam was seconded to the Rail Operating Division of the Royal Engineers on 15 Apr 1918 after having spent several months on similar duties with the Australian unit. He was also able to enjoy a furlough to the UK from 4 - 18 Jun 1918.

From 20 -28 Oct 1918 he was in hospital, sick, and again required hospital attention during his Paris leave which occurred in Jan 1919 (Inflammation of connective tissue in the hand). This time he required transfer to the 5th General Hospital in Rouen to treat Lymphangitis, and he was not discharged from hospital until 22 Feb 1919, and didn't get back to his unit until 26 Mar 1919.

On 1 May 1919 Sam boarded a boat in Le Havre for England. While waiting in Codford to be processed for return to Australia, Sam was AWOL from Midnight 23 May 1919 until 1:00pm 27 May 1919, for which he was reprimanded, and forfeited 5 days pay. He was discharged by the 5th Military District on 10 Sep 1919.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1934 Jarrahdale, engine driver; 1936 - 1949 at 216 Onslow road, Subiaco, engine driver. Address at time of death was 9 Greenwood Ave, Coogee, New South Wales

Notes

For further insight into Samuel's war experience read "The Cold-Footed Mob - A History of the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway operating Company" by Tom Goode

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial