Lieutenant Rupert Vance Moon

image: A03718 image: A03718
Photograph A03718
Service number 153
Ranks Held Lieutenant, Trumpeter
Birth Date 1892-08-14
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
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-14
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
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

    Media


    Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Rupert Vance Moon VC, 58th Battalion. Lt Moon was awarded the ...

    Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Rupert Vance Moon VC, 58th Battalion. Lt Moon was awarded the ...

    Portrait of Captain Rupert Vance Moon VC, of the 58th Battalion. Captain Vance was awarded his ...

    Formal group photograph taken at a Victoria Cross Reunion Dinner. Standing, left to right: Mr ...

    MELBOURNE, AUS. 1927-04-25. AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA CROSS (VC) WINNERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 1927 ...

    Portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Rupert Vance Moon VC, 58th Battalion. Lt Moon was awarded the ...

    Object


    1914-15 Star : Private R V Moon, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Rolls

Timeline

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

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