The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (5143) Private Adolph Moog, 6th Battalion (Infantry), First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Andrew Smith, the story for this day was on (5143) Private Adolph Moog, 6th Battalion (Infantry), First World War.

5413 Private Adolph Moog, 6th Battalion
DOW 8 December 1916
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 8 December 2013

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Adolph Moog.

"Olly" Moog was the only son of Adolph and Mallinda Fanny Moog, born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1895. His father worked in the Bendigo cattle yards, while Olly was educated at the Gravel Hill State School and then St Andrew's College. When he left college he was employed by the Bank of Australia and went on to work in branches in Bendigo, Korong Vale, Ballarat, and Melbourne. He was at the branch in Melbourne for his 21st birthday, a month after which he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Moog was first sent to Egypt with reinforcements to the 6th Battalion, but was soon sent on to England. He finally arrived in the battlefields of the Western Front in September 1916, providing much-needed reinforcement for a battalion depleted by the heavy fighting at Mouquet Farm. The battalion spent much of its time resting, training and occasionally holding parts of the front line.

In early December 1916 the 6th Battalion was in the front line near Flers. It was cold and very wet, and the trenches were in a constant state of disrepair. As well as actively patrolling the forward area, men of the battalion worked hard to keep the trenches from falling in. This was a relatively successful period for the battalion; on relief they could report that "the position was consolidated and put in a fairly strong state of defence". Just one casualty was reported for the period they spent in the front line - Private Adolph Moog. He died in a nearby casualty clearing station from multiple gunshot wounds on 8 December 1916. He was about to turn 22.

In Australia the Reverend Hewlett carried the sad news of Moog's death to his parents. The popular young man, known in the district as a good sportsman, was deeply mourned by his family and a wide circle of friends.

Adolph Moog's name is listed on the Roll of Honour to my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Adolph Moog, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.