John Thomas Moore (1885-1918)
Hartlepool man served with the Canadian Army
John Thomas Moore was one of seven children born to James Moore and his wife, Elizabeth. At the time of his birth in 1885 the family were living in West Hartlepool, but by the census of 1891 were living in Hill Street, Seaton Carew- a house they remained in until the turn of the century. In 1910 John left England to start a new life in Canada, returning to visit his family only in 1914. He settled in Toronto where he found work as an upholsterer.
May 1916 saw John enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto, giving his older sister, Margaret, living in West Hartlepool, as his next of kin. He joined as Private 228443, attached to the 201st (Toronto Light Infantry) Battalion, which was disbanded whilst still in Canada and the men transferred to the 198th(Canadian Buffs) Battalion. After sailing to England in March 1917 on board the SS Metagama John found himself based at the camp at East Sandling. A year later on 1st March 1918 he was transferred to the 75th Battalion based at Whitley, and was with them in France, fighting as part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division at the start of the Hundred Days Offensive.
John was killed on 2nd September 1918 at the start of the battle of Drocourt-Queant, part of the northernmost section of the Hindenburg Line. His death occurred during “the attack and capture of the ridge and sunken road between the town of Dury and the Arras-Cambrai road”. He is buried at Dury Mill British Cemetery south of Arras.
Seven other Canadians were awarded Victoria Crosses at that battle and the Canadian Dury Memorial commemorates the Canadian Corps attack on the Drocourt–Quéant Line.
Civil Parish: Seaton Carew
Birth date: 6-Oct-1885
Death date: 2-Sep-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 67 Hill Street, Seaton Carew (1891 census)
345 Parliament Street, Toronto, Canada (enlistment papers)
Religion: Church of England
Employment: Upholsterer (enlistment papers)
Family: Parents: James Moore, Elizabeth Moore nee Storey
Siblings: Margaret A.Moore, Thomas Moore, James Moore, William Moore, Alice Moore, Arthur Moore
Military service:
228443 Private
201st (Toronto Light Infantry) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
198th (Canadian Buffs) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
75th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
Medal(s): British War Medal, Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Jean Longstaff