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conference with two other 58/Bn lieutenants. In the process of reorganising the remaining troops, Moon was hit again – his jaw was broken and twelve teeth were shattered. It was not until the new position was secure that Moon was assisted to the rear. After nightfall, the
Australians took control of the vital crossroads to complete the difficult assignment. Three hundred yards of the Hindenburg Line and its strongpoints had been taken: five machine-guns, three flame-throwers, two bomb-throwing machines, and 186 prisoners, mostly trapped by Moon and fifteen or so of his platoon, had been captured.
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383:. Constructed from elm trees, the avenue was planted to commemorate soldiers from Bacchus Marsh who served in the First World War. The 164th tree in the avenue was planted and dedicated to Moon. In recent years, Moon Reserve was unveiled at the beginning of the Avenue of Honour in honour of Rupert Vance Moon. In 2010, the Avenue of Honour was nominated to be placed on the National Heritage list.
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During the
Federal elections of 1919, Brigadier-General ‘Pompey’ Elliott engaged Moon as his election campaign ‘secretary’. At the time Moon, who was unemployed and finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life, appreciated the offer of employment. Elliott calculated that his fame, together with
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In
Elliott’s account of the battle, 'Mickey' Moon monopolised the superlatives. Once he had doubted if Moon had the makings of an officer, but carrying on with his jaw broken and three other wounds as well was exceptional gallantry, and Elliott submitted his name for the VC. Moon was the only member
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Though the
Australians were successful the British advance on Moon’s left, had been less so, making the 58/Bn’s third objective impossible in daylight. Moon was hit again, but because of the situation on the left, refused to leave the field. After sitting down for a brief rest he convened a
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With Moon flinging bombs, he led his platoon towards their objectives in the face of fierce resistance. Despite a severe facial wound, Moon kept rallying his dwindling numbers. Inspired by his leadership, his platoon took control of the strongpoint. Moon then led his men towards ‘B’ Coy’s
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On 12 May 1917, during the hours leading-up to zero the
Germans unleashed a terrific bombardment, which Elliot described as the worst he had ever been under. Prospects for success diminished particularly when only one of the three section of Stokes guns was left in action.
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Moon’s decisive leadership tipped the balance. He positioned one of his Lewis Gun to enfilade the German trench and the superior number of retreating defenders. Those that retreated to their dugout were trapped by Moon rushing to the dugout entrance and firing inside.
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Lieutenant R.V. Moon was a 24-year-old bank clerk who, as a 4th Light Horse NCO had transferred to 58/Bn after
Fromelles. His ‘A’ Coy platoon, of 28 men and two Lewis guns, were given the difficult task of taking the concrete machine-gun nest facing the Australians.
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His own immediate objective was a position in advance of the hostile trench, and thence against the hostile trench itself, after the capture of which it was intended that his men should co-operate in a further assault on a strong point further in rear.
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objective, who were struggling against German reinforcements emerging from a nearby dugout system. When some of his platoon wavered, Moon, despite a second wound that left him dazed and deafened, waved his swagger stick and called encouragement.
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After he returned from the war he resumed working for the
National Bank in Geelong, a position he held until he took up a senior position with Dennys Lascelles Ltd. On 17 December 1931 he married Sammy Vincent at St George's Church Geelong.
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He nevertheless inspired and encouraged his men and captured the trench. Lt. Moon continued to lead his much diminished command in the general attack with the utmost valour, being again wounded, and the attack was successfully pressed home.
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His bravery was magnificent, and was largely instrumental in the successful issue against superior numbers, the safe-guarding of the flank of the attack and the capture of many prisoners and machine guns.
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During the consolidation of the position, this officer was again badly wounded, and it was only after this fourth and severe wound through the face that he consented to retire from the fight.
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After working for
Elliott, Moon, being unsettled and fighting nervous reactions to his war experiences, left Australia to settle in Malaya as a rubber planter.
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a VC winner, would do his campaign in country
Victoria, no harm. Together they were enthusiastically received, particularly by the returned AIF.
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At 2.30pm on 11 May 1917 Major C. Denehy, acting OC 58th
Battalion (58/Bn), called his officers to a headquarters conference to discuss the three
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259:: ‘A’ Coy - a concrete machine gun nest; ‘B’ Coy - the German trench and dugouts; and ‘C’ Coy - securing the crossroads and beyond.
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in August, having by now recovered from his wounds. The medal is now displayed at the Hall of Valour at the
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Leading his men against the trench itself, he was again badly wounded and incapacitated for the moment.
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Cemetery, with a large crowd in attendance, including Moon's descendants, representatives from the
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during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
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on 28 February 1986 and was buried in the Anglican section of Mount Duneed Cemetery.
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On 12 May 2008, the Rupert Vance Moon V.C. Memorial Garden was unveiled at the
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of the 15th Brigade to be awarded the VC. The citation for his VC appeared in
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McMullin, Ross, Pompey Elliott, Scribe Publication, Melbourne, 2002, p.592
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McMullin, Ross, Pompey Elliott, Scribe Publication, Melbourne, 2002, p.529
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Although wounded in the initial advance, he reached his first objective.
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For most conspicuous bravery during an attack on an enemy strong point.
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Moon, who later reached the rank of captain, received his VC from King
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Victorian Heritage Database – Rupert Vance Moon Memorial Garden report
583:"Bacchus Marsh Avenue Of Honour - People - Rupert Theo Vance Moon VC"
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708:. Vol. 18. Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press.
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began in the summer of 1914. He was 24 years old, and a
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Australian World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
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Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA) 15 August 1947 page 7
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551:Mount Duneed Primary School Centenary 1878 – 1978
450:, Scribe Publication, Melbourne, 2002, pp 286-288
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437:Western Mail (Perth, WA) 4 February 1937 page 11
255:, France, objectives given to them by Brig-Gen.
469:(Supplement). 12 June 1917. pp. 5865–5866.
731:Service record on the ADF AIF Project database
702:"Moon, Rupert Theo Vance (Mick) (1892–1986)"
196:(14 August 1892 – 28 February 1986) was an
370:5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment
352:from 1954 to 1978. He died at his home at
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766:Australian Army personnel of World War II
392:Returned and Services League of Australia
379:was created linking Bacchus Marsh to the
771:Australian racehorse owners and breeders
756:Military personnel from Victoria (state)
488:The Canberra Times 14 April 1986 page 16
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368:Memorial Garden with Army Reservists of
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224:. When he left school he worked for the
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706:Australian Dictionary of Biography
640:The Register of the Victoria Cross
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212:Early life and First World War
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190:Rupert Theo Vance "Mick" Moon
226:National Bank of Australasia
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786:Burials in Victoria (state)
650:: This England Alma House.
638:Buzzell, Nora, ed. (1997).
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671:VCs of the First World War
781:People from Bacchus Marsh
665:Gliddon, Gerald (2012) .
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667:Arras and Messines 1917
333:Post-war and later life
327:Australian War Memorial
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700:Salmon, J.R. (2012).
587:avenueofhonour.org.au
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321:at an investiture at
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126:Years of service
100:Mount Duneed Cemetery
608:"A Matter Of Honour"
198:Australian recipient
500:, pp. 192–193.
614:on 5 November 2012
466:The London Gazette
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286:The London Gazette
692:978-0-7524-6604-0
683:The History Press
323:Buckingham Palace
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84:(1986-02-28)
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751:1986 deaths
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570:Salmon 2012
461:"No. 30130"
375:In 1918 an
234:World War I
51:Nickname(s)
45:Rupert Moon
740:Categories
644:Cheltenham
631:References
253:Bullecourt
238:lieutenant
106:Allegiance
91:, Victoria
74:, Victoria
65:1892-08-14
592:3 October
180:Spouse(s)
131:1942–1945
129:1914–1919
109:Australia
319:George V
208:forces.
114:Service/
240:in the
200:of the
140:Captain
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675:Stroud
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618:30 May
360:Legacy
230:Maffra
170:Awards
116:branch
96:Buried
54:"Mick"
398:Notes
710:ISBN
687:ISBN
652:ISBN
620:2010
594:2015
146:Unit
136:Rank
79:Died
59:Born
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