b. 20/09/1830 Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland. d. 25/04/1923 Dublin, Ireland.
Arthur Thomas Moore (1830-1913) was born on 20th September 1830 in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland, the son of Edward Francis Moore. His father was in the 45th Regiment of Foot and belonged to an old family of landowners in County Louth. Arthur entered the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry on the 29th July 1850, as a Second Lieutenant, and became a Lieutenant on 28th August 1855. With this Regiment, he became an Adjutant and saw much action particularly in the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57.
Arthur T Moore VC CB
He was present at the Battle of Khoosh-ab and during this battle, he would be later awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 3rd August 1860). Moore’s actions on 8th February 1857 where recorded by a fellow officer in a letter to a Calcutta newspaper. “When Forbes, who commanded the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry, gave the order to charge, he and his adjutant, young Arthur Moore, placed themselves in front of the 6th troop which was the one directly opposite the nearest face of the square. The other Moore ( Arthur’s elder brother Ross ), Malcolmson, and Spens came behind, riding knee to knee. In spite of steel, fire, and bullets, they tore down upon the nearest face of the Persian square.
As they approached, Forbes was shot through the thigh and Spens’ horse wounded, but unheeding, they swept onward. Daunted by the flashes, and the fire, and the noise and crackle of musketry, the younger Moore’s horse swerved as they came up. Dropping his sword from his hand and letting it hang by the knot at his wrist, he caught up the reins in both hands, screwed his head straight, and then coolly, as if riding a fence, leapt him at the square. Of course the horse fell stone dead on the Persian bayonets, so did his brother’s horse ridden with equal courage and determination behind.”
Following the heroic charge, the barrier of the Persian’s square was broken and through the entrance poured the troopers of the 3rd Bombay Cavalry. Out of the 500 Persian defenders, only 20 escaped the assault. Moore was presented with his Victoria Cross by the GOC Bombay, Lieutenant General Sir William Mansfield in India on 18th October 1861. John Malcolmson was also awarded the VC in the action.
Arthur Moore also served with distinction during the Indian Mutiny in the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose, and was present at the siege and capture of Rathgahir, and took part in many other battles including at Barodia, Sangor, Garakota, Calpe and the capture of Gwalior. For his services in the suppression of the Mutiny he was twice mentioned in despatches. From 1859 to 1861 he again held the Adjutancy of the 3rd Bomby Light Cavalry, and was briefly placed second in command when the regiment adopted the silladar system. He was awarded several promotions and was awarded a Companion of Bath in 1887. He married Annie, daughter of Henry Leslie Prentice, JP and Deputy Lieutenant of Ennislare, County Armagh.
Upon Arthur Moore’s retirement in June 1891 he was made Brevet Colonel and given the honoury rank of Major-General. General Moore, VC, CB, died of heart failure whilst suffering from influenza at his residence, 18 Waterloo Place in Dublin on Friday, 25 April 1913 and was buried in the Mount Jerome Cemetery. Moore’s medal group came up for sale at Dix Noonan Webb in 2004 and was sold to a private buyer for £150,000.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: SOLD AT AUCTION FOR £150,000 TO PRIVATE BUYER IN 2004.
BURIAL PLACE: MOUNT JEROME CEMETERY, DUBLIN, IRELAND. SECTION C156, NO 14036.
Acknowledgements:
Dix Noonan Webb – Image of the Moore VC Medal Group prior to 2004 Auction.
Paul Deeprose – Image of the Moore VC Haileybury College Memorial.