Moore, Lionel Watson
Lieut. Moore, who was acting Captain of his company was only 23 years of age last November. He was educated at Tewkesbury Grammar School and King's School. Worcester. Upon the completion of his school career he took up his studies for the medical profession, and was for 3½ years at Guy's Hospital before the outbreak of war, when he at once sought his country's service. For four years he was a member of the local company of Territorials, and whilst in London he joined the medical unit of the London University O.T.C. The Commanding Officer of the latter recommended him for immediate commissioned rank, but he enlisted as a private in his county's regiment, and was quickly promoted to a second lieutenancy. He went to the Front in March, 1915, and had served with his regiment until the time of his death. As a youth he was assistant scoutmaster of the 1st Tewkesbury Troop of the B.P. Scouts.
The magnificent testimony of his brother officers, from many of whom Mr. and Mrs. Moore have received letters of sympathy, is a reflection of his character as it was known to his friends. A splendid officer, a fine young fellow with an umblemished record, he was one of the best of the many thousands of the flower of the race who have given their all for their country, King, and people.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore received a letter dated 29th August, from the Chaplain, who says:- “I buried your splendid soldier this morning at 4 a.m. in the very trench which he and his men took magnificently on Sunday night. It has made us all feel very sad indeed, and our hearts go out to you and yours. I watched him and his company; they went over the parapet as if they were on parade, and great execution was inflicted and the trench was taken and held. We all have the highest respect for your boy and it was only last week that the Colonel himself told me how much he relied and believed in him.
The Colonel wrote that unfortunately he was in hospital, and was unable to be in the action, but his brother wrote him that Lieut. Moore was leading his Company splendidly, and they took the trench that was heavily manned by the enemy’s best troops. He was a worthy successor to his splendid brother.
A brother officer wrote: “He was the most unselfish man I ever met, and every officer of the regiment would say the same. With an extraordinary gentleness and unselfishness he combined the fearlessness of his brother. One always felt better for being with him in the trench or on any business unpleasant or dangerous.
Pte. Vosper, the deceased officer’s servant also wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Moore a very touching tribute.
Lieut. Moore was home on leave In June. Guy’s Hospital Gazette 23 Sept, 1916
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Moore |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Lionel Watson |
| Date of birth | 1893 |
| Place of birth | Tewkesbury |
| Family details | Son of Thomas Weaver Moore and Ellen 'Battledown' Tewkesbury Glos. Brother of Thomas Harold, killed in action 27 September 1915 |
| Previous education | Tewkesbury Grammar School; King's School, Worcester |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 24 March 1905 |
| Dept / course | Conjoint Diploma |
| Military unit | Gloucestershire Regiment, 5th Bn. |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | France and Flanders March 1915 to August 1916 |
| Date of death | 27 August 1916 |
| Age at death | 22 |
| Rank at death | Lieutenant (Obituary gives Captain but all other sources state Lieutenant). |
| Place of death | between Ovillers and Thiepval |
| Cause of death | Killed in action leading his company |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial; Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
| Sources | Guy's Hospital Medical School Records, King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; University of London O.T.C. 1914-1918 |