Lieutenant Rupert Vance Moon

Service number	153
Ranks Held	Lieutenant, Trumpeter
Birth Date	14/08/1892
Birth Place	Australia: Victoria, Bacchus Marsh
Death Date	1986
Final Rank	Lieutenant
Service	Australian Imperial Force
Unit	58th Australian Infantry Battalion
Place	Bacchus Marsh
Conflict/Operation	First World War, 1914-1918

Description

Rupert "Mick" Moon was born at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, and grew up in Gippsland. He had been in the militia, and in 1914 enlisted in the light horse. He was sent to Gallipoli, then in September 1916 was commissioned and transferred to the 58th Australian Infantry Battalion to replace recent losses.

At Bullecourt on the 12 May 1917, Moon led an attack on an enemy strongpoint but was soon wounded. Not giving up, and continually calling, "come on boys", he was badly wounded twice more but still stayed to lead, inspire, and encourage his men. "We would have followed him anywhere, he was that game", said one. Only when he was wounded for a fourth time, severely now, did he finally agree to retire and seek medical help.

Moon returned to Australia but went back to Europe and ended the war as a temporary captain. Afterwards he worked in a bank and as an accountant. He was eventually one of the last surviving Australian Victoria Cross holders of the war.

Moon was awarded the Victoria Cross, service medals for the First World War, coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.

Collection items

Rolls

Honours and Awards:

Unit

58th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

58th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

58th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
First World War Embarkation Roll:

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Trumpeter

Timeline

Date of birth	14/08/1892
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	21/08/1914	4 Light Horse Regiment.
Date of embarkation	19/10/1914
Date promoted	23/11/1915	Appointed Lance Corporal.
Date promoted	06/03/1916	Appointed Sergeant.
Other units	09/09/1916	Transferred to the 58th Battalion.
Date promoted	09/09/1916	Apppointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date of recommendation honour or award	16/05/1917
Date of honour or award	12/06/1917	Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Bullecourt, France whilst serving with 58 Battalion, 15 Brigade, 5 Division as a Lieutenant.
Date promoted	06/03/1917	Promoted to Lieutenant.
Date wounded	11/05/1917	Wounded in action at Bullecourt.
Other	08/1917	Invested with Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace by King George V.
Date returned to Australia	03/03/1918
Other units	01/05/1918	Re-embarked for active service.
Date of discharge	04/10/1919
Other	17/05/1919	Granted rank of Honorary Captain.
Date promoted	05/02/1919	Promoted Temporary Captain.
Date of death	1986