Rupert vance moon biography of rory

Rupert Theo Vance "Mick" Moon (14 August 1892 – 28 February 1986) was an Australian recipient of picture Victoria Cross, the highest award championing gallantry in the face of honourableness enemy that can be awarded acknowledge British and Commonwealth forces.

Early progress and First World War

Moon was congenital at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, on 14 August 1892. He was the odd thing of Mr and Mrs Arthur Minion of Kinaird, Toorak, Victoria. When without fear left school he worked for significance National Bank of Australasia and was at the Maffra branch when Pretend War I began in the season of 1914.^[3] He was 24 eld old, and a lieutenant in rectitude 58th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, close to the First World War when integrity following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

At 2.30pm on 11 May 1917 Bigger C. Denehy, acting OC 58th Contingent (58/Bn), called his officers to uncut headquarters conference to discuss the threesome Bullecourt, France, objectives given to them by Brig-Gen. Harold Elliott: ‘A’ Diffident - a concrete machine gun nest; ‘B’ Coy - the German excavation and dugouts; and ‘C’ Coy - securing the crossroads and beyond.

Lieutenant R. V. Moon was a 24-year-old bank clerk who, as a Quaternary Light Horse NCO had transferred follow a line of investigation 58/Bn after Fromelles. His ‘A’ Shy platoon, of 28 men and connect Lewis guns, were given the tough task of taking the concrete machine-gun nest facing the Australians.

On 12 May 1917, during the hours leading-up to zero the Germans unleashed keen terrific bombardment, which Elliot described because the worst he had ever bent under. Prospects for success diminished especially when only one of the threesome section of Stokes guns was keep steady in action.

With Moon flinging bombs, he led his platoon towards their objectives in the face of brutish resistance. Despite a severe facial turnup for the books, Moon kept rallying his dwindling in excess. Inspired by his leadership, his company took control of the strongpoint. Hanger-on then led his men towards ‘B’ Coy’s objective, who were struggling aspect German reinforcements emerging from a not far-off dugout system. When some of culminate platoon wavered, Moon, despite a in a tick wound that left him dazed predominant deafened, waved his swagger stick direct called encouragement.

Moon’s decisive leadership leaning the balance. He positioned one end his Lewis Gun to enfilade loftiness German trench and the superior calculate of retreating defenders. Those that retreated to their dugout were trapped wishy-washy Moon rushing to the dugout happening and firing inside.

Though the Australians were successful the British advance plunge Moon’s left, had been less good, making the 58/Bn’s third objective unthinkable in daylight. Moon was hit besides, but because of the situation courteous the left, refused to leave honesty field. After sitting down for smashing brief rest he convened a symposium with two other 58/Bn lieutenants. Temper the process of reorganising the extant troops, Moon was hit again – his jaw was broken and cardinal teeth were shattered. It was throng together until the new position was timid that Moon was assisted to nobility rear. After nightfall, the Australians took control of the vital crossroads ascend complete the difficult assignment. Three horde yards of the Hindenburg Line with the addition of its strongpoints had been taken: quintuplet machine-guns, three flame-throwers, two bomb-throwing machines, and 186 prisoners, mostly trapped fail to see Moon and fifteen or so rule his platoon, had been captured.

In Elliott’s account of the battle, 'Mickey' Moon monopolised the superlatives. Once inaccuracy had doubted if Moon had probity makings of an officer, but shrill on with his jaw broken most recent three other wounds as well was exceptional gallantry, and Elliott submitted rule name for the VC. Moon was the only member of the Ordinal Brigade to be awarded the VC.^[4] The citation for his VC emerged in The London Gazette in June 1917 and reads as follows:

For most conspicuous bravery during an assail on an enemy strong point.

His own immediate objective was a disagree in advance of the hostile earthwork, and thence against the hostile encroach itself, after the capture of which it was intended that his rank and file should co-operate in a further charge on a strong point further quick-witted rear.

Although wounded in the introductory advance, he reached his first disinterested.

Leading his men against the earthwork itself, he was again badly unsound and incapacitated for the moment.

He nevertheless inspired and encouraged his troops body and captured the trench. Lt. Sputnik attendant continued to lead his much commission command in the general attack give up the utmost valour, being again insane, and the attack was successfully unaccommodating home.

During the consolidation of representation position, this officer was again viciously wounded, and it was only rearguard this fourth and severe wound in the face that he consented fall prey to retire from the fight.

Cap bravery was magnificent, and was chiefly instrumental in the successful issue realize superior numbers, the safe-guarding of righteousness flank of the attack and significance capture of many prisoners and appliance guns.^[5]

Moon, who later reached the status of captain, received his VC suffer the loss of King George V at an donation at Buckingham Palace in August, acquiring by then recovered from his wounds.^[6] The medal is now displayed concede defeat the Hall of Valour at magnanimity Australian War Memorial.^[7]

Post-war and later life

During the Federal elections of 1919, Brigadier-General "Pompey" Elliott engaged Moon as consummate election campaign "secretary". At the span Moon, who was unemployed and decision it difficult to adjust to nonbelligerent life, appreciated the offer of vocation. Elliott calculated that his fame, work together with a VC winner, would controversy his campaign in country Victoria, pollex all thumbs butte harm. Together they were enthusiastically standard, particularly by the returned AIF.^[9]

After method for Elliott, Moon, being unsettled pointer fighting nervous reactions to his contention experiences, left Australia to settle be pleased about Malaya as a rubber planter.^[10]

After noteworthy returned from the war he resumed working for the National Bank confine Geelong, a position he held on hold he took up a senior affinity with Dennys Lascelles Ltd.^[3] On 17 December 1931 he married Sammy Vincent at St George's Church Geelong.^[11]

He temporary at Calder Park, Mount Duneed, unfamiliar 1954 to 1978.^[13][14] He died drum his home at Barwon Heads perversion 28 February 1986 and was covered in the Anglican section of Climb Duneed Cemetery.

Legacy

In 1918 an avenue innumerable honour was created linking Bacchus Fen to the Western Highway. Constructed overexert elm trees, the avenue was naturalized to commemorate soldiers from Bacchus Moss who served in the First Replica War. The 164th tree in influence avenue was planted and dedicated bump into Moon.^[16] In recent years, Moon Conserve was unveiled at the beginning lacking the Avenue of Honour in bring shame on of Rupert Vance Moon. In 2010, the Avenue of Honour was selected to be placed on the Country-wide Heritage list.^[17]

On 12 May 2008, significance Rupert Vance Moon V.C. Memorial Grounds was unveiled at the Mount Duneed Cemetery, with a large crowd orders attendance, including Moon's descendants, representatives spread the Returned and Services League cataclysm Australia, and past and present general public.

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