Kawau 2022 - Discovering Our Whakapapa - Ko Tōku Whānau

Frederick Charles Moore

By Pann Thaung

Frederick Charles Moore

Mana of Mana

Introduction

Frederick Charles Moore was born in 1910. He was born and raised in Sunderland, England. He was one of 9 children. He had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Frederick’s mother is from southern Ireland but was born in India.

Early life

Frederick served in an army in Derry. While serving in Ireland he met his significant other, and soon after he proposed and then married. Frederick and his wife moved back to England and had a baby boy named Georgie. He loved boxing and showjumping (horse riding).

Serving the British army

For a long time, Frederick had served in the army. He was in the Hallamshire former 4th Battalion and the 5th Battalion. Over the years, he traveled and fought in wars for the British Army. 1936, the former 5th battalion(TA) had converted to anti-aircraft artillery.

It was in Imphal, India then later in Mandalay, Burma as the 67th(Y&L) HAA Regiment, RA. 1940, the Hallamshire Battalion (former 4th) was attached to the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division during the war. It was sent to Norway and the First Battalion during the same year. A year later the 5th Battalion served in the North African Campaign. 1942, the Hallamshire Battalion was in Iceland, then was trained back in England. In 1944 the 5th Battalion transferred back to Imphal and Mandalay.

During that year in June, the Hallamshire battalion landed in Norway and fought until Arnhem(a city in the Netherlands). 4 months later in October due to a shortage of manpower the 5th Battalion served as infantry until January 1945. Between 1942 and 1945, Frederick and the rest of the British Army were allies to Burma against Japan. A year after that, in 1956 there was the sues crisis (the Egypt war).

Life after the war

Frederick was around 26 (maybe younger) when he joined the Army. After 9ish years it all came to an end. He came back home wounded and with a thin mark around his neck. Frederick had been choked by a thing wire while fighting the Japanese. He ended up having 8 of his own children -Gorgie, Tess, Anna, Jean, Joanne, Connie, Fred, and Jim. His first grandchild was one of Jean's children, Desmund and his last is Dedbrough one of Fred’s children. Frederick's last great-grandchild happens to be my very own brother, Riley Frederick Thaung Moore. To keep himself occupied after his days in the army, he became a gardener. He grew all sorts. Vegetables, fruit, flowers, and more. He also had a love for pigeons. Frederick would enter a contest where they released the pigeons from somewhere and then they would have to find their way home.

Conclusion

On April 1st, 1961 on the morning of Easter Frederick Moore passed away from some sort of heart attack. His 8 children-the youngest, age 9- came downstairs for Easter eggs but instead, they had been told that their father had passed.

While writing this I thought about his bravery, determination, and mana. This man must have had loads. He had been serving for consecutive years dealing with all sorts. He had struggled, but never gave up. Frederick traveled all across the world not because he wanted to but because he was standing up and fighting for his country.

Glossary

Battalion: A large body of troops ready for battle, especially an infantry unit forming part of a brigade

TA: Territorial army

Anti-Aircraft: (especially a gun or missile) used to attack enemy aircraft.

RA: Royal artillery

HAA: Heavy anti-aircraft

Infantry: soldiers marching or fighting on foot; foot soldiers collectively

Reference list

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/328/york-and-lancaster-regiment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/146th_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Infantry_Division_(United_Kingdom)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Battalion,_South_Lancashire_Regiment