MOORE, John Harold

John Moore was born in Stourbridge and probably enlisted in 1917. He was sent to the Deonshire Regiment where he served in the 2nd Battalion. In 1918 they suffered badly during the German Spring offensives. Their valiant defence in front of Amiens in April halted the first offensive and another equally valiant defence on the Aisne close to Rheims haled the last in May. The Devons really needed reinforcements and re-training. They returned to the front line in September for a part in the Advance to Victory and were posted just east of Arras on Greenland Hill. They were in support for a major attack following the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. The task was the enemy’s Rouvray-Fresnes line, essentially their last line of defence, which protected their vital rail links. The attack opened on the 7th October and the Devons successfully passed though the first line troops on the next day. Losses were not high but included Private John Moore who was killed in action. He is buried in St Nicholas British Cemetery, Arras (II F 7) and commemorated on the Oldswinford church, Stourbridge, Memorial.