MOORE, Charles William

Charles William Moore was the son of Charles William Moore and his wife, Mary, and was born at Allendale, Victoria c Jan 1892.  When he enlisted on 10 February 1916 Charles stated that he was a labourer; he nominated his father, then living at 165 Wellington Parade, Jolimont, as his next of kin.  This address was later updated to 82 Albert Street, East Melbourne.  He had had two years’ military experience with the 7th AIR, Ballarat.  He was nearly 6ft with a fresh complexion , blue eyes, and brown hair.  He was appointed to the 37th Battalion and embarked on 3 June 1616 aboard HMAT Persic.

He proceeded overseas to France from England on 22 November 1916.  He was made temporary corporal twice before receiving a permanent promotion on 8 September 1917.  He was wounded in action with a gunshot to his right forearm on 12 October 1917 and was in hospital for nearly two months. Three weeks later he spent another two weeks in hospital with pleurisy.  He was again in hospital in May 1918, this time with flu. Transferred to the Australian Employment Company on 25 August 1918.  He left England for return to Australia on 7 February 1919 and was discharged medically unfit (Effort Syndrome) on 19 August 1919.

In 1922 Charles’ father wrote to Base Records to inform them that ‘my son No 635 Corpl Charles W Moore late 37 Battalion died at Melbourne Hospital on 22nd March 1922 the result of being gassed at the War would you advise me if Memorial Scroll and Badge will be issued to me.’  Confirmation was sought from the Melbourne Hospital and the registrar replied that Charles had died of pneumonia but acknowledged the possibility that his repeated bouts of pleurisy while abroad may have predisposed him to further infections.  An official report concluded that examination of his records showed no evidence of his being gassed, and that there was nothing to lead to the belief that his death was the result of war service.  The upshot was that the Memorial Plaque and Badge were not issued