Jeremy Moore
Encyclopedia
Major General
Sir John Jeremy Moore KCB, OBE, MC
& Bar
(5 July 1928 – 15 September 2007) was the commander of the British
land forces during the Falklands War
in 1982. Moore received the surrender of the Argentine forces on the islands.
as a private, were both awarded the Military Cross
in 1916 during World War I
. His maternal grandfather was wounded at Tel el-Kebir in 1880, and later commanded the 4th Hussars.
He was educated at Brambletye School
in East Grinstead
and at Cheltenham College
. He intended to join the Fleet Air Arm
after leaving school, but was discouraged by relatively poor exam results. He joined the Royal Marines
in 1947, intending to transfer, and enjoyed Royal Marine service so much that he spent the next 36 years in the Corps. After basic training, and service at sea in the cruiser HMS Sirius
, he joined X Troop of 40 Commando
in Malaya in November 1950, during the Emergency
. He first received a major military accolade in 1952 when he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry after he and his men fought a pitched battle with communist insurgents in the Malayan jungle.
He later served as Housemaster of the Royal Marines School of Music
in Deal, Kent
in 1954, as an instructor at the NCO's School, as adjutant with 45 Commando
from 1957 to 1959, spending much time in operations against EOKA
in Cyprus
, and then as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst until 1962. He was posted to Brunei to join 42 Commando
, as a company commander and later adjutant. While a company commander, he was awarded a Bar
to the Military Cross in December 1962 when he led an attack
against rebels holding the town of Limbang
in the Sarawak
area of Borneo
, rescuing British and Australian hostages. He and his men were ferried across a river by Royal Navy
Lieutenant Jeremy Black, who went on to command HMS Invincible
in the Falklands War.
After attending the Australian Army Staff College in 1963 to 1964, he served with the 17th Gurkha Division
in Borneo in 1965, countering Indonesian insurgents, and was Assistant Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee at the MOD from 1966 to 1968. He served as amphibious operations officer on HMS Bulwark
in 1968 to 1969.
He led the 42 Commando
on a tour of duty in the then Provisional Irish Republican Army
(IRA) stronghold of New Lodge
. On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1971, Moore was appointed in command of 42 Commando
, completing two tours of duty in Northern Ireland
, including participation in the high-profile Operation Motorman
to eliminate areas proclaimed by the IRA as “no-go” to the Army and police. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1973.
He commanded the Royal Marines School of Music from 1973 to 1975, and then studied at the Royal College of Defence Studies
in 1976. He commanded 3 Commando Brigade
from 1977 until he was promoted to Major General in 1979 and took command of all Royal Marine commando forces. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1982, and was on the verge of retirement when the Commandant General Royal Marines, Lieutenant-General Sir Steuart Pringle
, was badly injured by a bomb planted by the IRA. Moore remained as Major-General Commando Forces to cover for Pringle while he recovered.
Moore was handing over to the recuperated Pringle when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. He joined the task force planning team at Northwood
before flying south to take command of land forces in theatre. His planning post was taken by Lieutenant General Richard Trant
. Moore relieved Brigadier Julian Thompson
as ground commander when he arrived shortly before the 5th Infantry Brigade, travelling ahead on the HMS Antrim
to reach the islands on 30 May. Moore implemented the plans proposed by Thompson, with the British soldiers forced to march across the inhospitable islands in the absence of sufficient helicopters and into the teeth of Argentine resistance. He accepted the surrender of the Argentinian commander, General de Brigada Mario Menéndez
, in Port Stanley on 14 June 1982.
He was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1982 after his command in the Falklands, and left the Marines in 1983. He became Director General of the Food Manufacturers Federation, but left 18 months later. Later in life, he raised money for research into liver diseases after having a liver transplant. He was Colonel Commandant
of the Royal Marines from 1990 to 1993, and joined the parade to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War at Horse Guards Parade
and the Mall on 17 June 2007.
He married his wife, Veryan, in 1966. They had two daughters and a son. In later years, he suffered from arthritis
and prostate cancer
. He died on 15 September 2007, aged 79, survived by his wife and three children.
Major-General (United Kingdom)
Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
Sir John Jeremy Moore KCB, OBE, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(5 July 1928 – 15 September 2007) was the commander of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
land forces during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
in 1982. Moore received the surrender of the Argentine forces on the islands.
Military career
Moore came from a military family. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Moore, and paternal grandfather, who joined the York and Lancaster RegimentYork and Lancaster Regiment
-History:It was formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:*65th Regiment*84th RegimentThe title of the regiment was derived not from the cities of York and Lancaster, or from the counties...
as a private, were both awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
in 1916 during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. His maternal grandfather was wounded at Tel el-Kebir in 1880, and later commanded the 4th Hussars.
He was educated at Brambletye School
Brambletye School
Brambletye was founded at Sidcup Place, Kent in 1919 and moved to its present glorious location in rolling Sussex countryside on the southern outskirts of East Grinstead in 1933. The large country house, in its own wooded estate of 100 acres, overlooks Ashdown Forest and Weir Wood Reservoir. The...
in East Grinstead
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
and at Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
. He intended to join the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
after leaving school, but was discouraged by relatively poor exam results. He joined the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
in 1947, intending to transfer, and enjoyed Royal Marine service so much that he spent the next 36 years in the Corps. After basic training, and service at sea in the cruiser HMS Sirius
HMS Sirius (82)
HMS Sirius was a Dido-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built by Portsmouth Dockyard , with the keel being laid down on 6 April 1938. She was launched on 18 September 1940, and commissioned 6 May 1942.-History:...
, he joined X Troop of 40 Commando
40 Commando
40 Commando RM is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
in Malaya in November 1950, during the Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
. He first received a major military accolade in 1952 when he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry after he and his men fought a pitched battle with communist insurgents in the Malayan jungle.
He later served as Housemaster of the Royal Marines School of Music
Royal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service is the musical wing of the Royal Navy. It currently consists of five Bands and its headquarters is the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth dockyard.-History:...
in Deal, Kent
Deal, Kent
Deal is a town in Kent England. It lies on the English Channel eight miles north-east of Dover and eight miles south of Ramsgate. It is a former fishing, mining and garrison town...
in 1954, as an instructor at the NCO's School, as adjutant with 45 Commando
45 Commando
45 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized unit of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
from 1957 to 1959, spending much time in operations against EOKA
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, and then as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst until 1962. He was posted to Brunei to join 42 Commando
42 Commando
42 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and a subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, as a company commander and later adjutant. While a company commander, he was awarded a Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
to the Military Cross in December 1962 when he led an attack
Limbang raid
The Limbang raid was a military engagement between British Royal Marine commandos and insurgents of the North Kalimantan National Army , on 12 December 1962...
against rebels holding the town of Limbang
Limbang
Limbang is a border town and the capital of Limbang District in the Limbang Division of northern Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The division has an area of 3,978.1 square kilometers, and a population of 42,600...
in the Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
area of Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
, rescuing British and Australian hostages. He and his men were ferried across a river by Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Lieutenant Jeremy Black, who went on to command HMS Invincible
HMS Invincible (R05)
HMS Invincible was a British light aircraft carrier, the lead ship of three in her class in the Royal Navy. She was launched on 3 May 1977 and is the seventh ship to carry the name. She saw action in the Falklands War when she was deployed with , she took over as flagship of the British fleet when...
in the Falklands War.
After attending the Australian Army Staff College in 1963 to 1964, he served with the 17th Gurkha Division
17th Gurkha Division
The 17th Gurkha Division was a British military formation that saw active service during Malayan Emergency.-History:The Division was formed in 1952 in response to the Malayan Emergency. It pepetuated the traditions of the former 17th Indian Infantry Division which had used a Black Cat as its emblem...
in Borneo in 1965, countering Indonesian insurgents, and was Assistant Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee at the MOD from 1966 to 1968. He served as amphibious operations officer on HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark (R08)
The sixth HMS Bulwark of the Royal Navy was a 22,000 tonne Centaur-class light fleet aircraft carrier.-Construction:Bulwark was laid down by the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast on 10 May 1945...
in 1968 to 1969.
He led the 42 Commando
42 Commando
42 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and a subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
on a tour of duty in the then Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA) stronghold of New Lodge
New Lodge, Belfast
The New Lodge is an urban, working-class Catholic community in Belfast, Northern Ireland, immediately to the north of city centre. The landscape is dominated by several large tower blocks. The area has a number of murals, mostly sited along the New Lodge Road...
. On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1971, Moore was appointed in command of 42 Commando
42 Commando
42 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and a subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, completing two tours of duty in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, including participation in the high-profile Operation Motorman
Operation Motorman
Operation Motorman was a large operation carried out by the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The operation took place in the early hours of 31 July 1972 with the aim of retaking the "no-go areas" that had been established in Belfast, Derry and other large towns.-Background:The...
to eliminate areas proclaimed by the IRA as “no-go” to the Army and police. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1973.
He commanded the Royal Marines School of Music from 1973 to 1975, and then studied at the Royal College of Defence Studies
Royal College of Defence Studies
The Royal College of Defence Studies is an internationally-renowned institution and component of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom...
in 1976. He commanded 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
from 1977 until he was promoted to Major General in 1979 and took command of all Royal Marine commando forces. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1982, and was on the verge of retirement when the Commandant General Royal Marines, Lieutenant-General Sir Steuart Pringle
Steuart Pringle
Lieutenant-General Sir Steuart Robert Pringle, 10th Baronet, of Stichill KCB DSC is a former Royal Marines officer who became Commandant General Royal Marines and who was seriously injured by an IRA car bomb.-Military career:...
, was badly injured by a bomb planted by the IRA. Moore remained as Major-General Commando Forces to cover for Pringle while he recovered.
Moore was handing over to the recuperated Pringle when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. He joined the task force planning team at Northwood
Northwood Headquarters
Northwood Headquarters is a military headquarters facility of the British Armed Forces in Eastbury, Hertfordshire, England, adjacent to the London suburb of Northwood...
before flying south to take command of land forces in theatre. His planning post was taken by Lieutenant General Richard Trant
Richard Trant
General Sir Richard Brooking Trant, KCB, DL was an officer in the British Army. He was Land Deputy Commander in the Falklands War, and served as Quartermaster-General to the Forces from 1983 to 1986....
. Moore relieved Brigadier Julian Thompson
Julian Thompson
Major General Julian Howard Atherden Thompson, CB, OBE is a military historian and former Royal Marines officer who, as a brigadier, commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War.-Military career:...
as ground commander when he arrived shortly before the 5th Infantry Brigade, travelling ahead on the HMS Antrim
HMS Antrim (D18)
HMS Antrim was a County-class destroyer of the Royal Navy launched on 19 October 1967. In the mid-1970s, the Royal Navy removed 'B' turret and replaced it with four Exocet launchers.-Falklands Conflict:...
to reach the islands on 30 May. Moore implemented the plans proposed by Thompson, with the British soldiers forced to march across the inhospitable islands in the absence of sufficient helicopters and into the teeth of Argentine resistance. He accepted the surrender of the Argentinian commander, General de Brigada Mario Menéndez
Mario Menéndez
Mario Benjamin Menéndez was an Argentine governor of the Falkland Islands. He also served in the Argentine Army. He surrendered Argentine forces to Britain during the Falklands War.-Pre-Falklands War:...
, in Port Stanley on 14 June 1982.
He was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1982 after his command in the Falklands, and left the Marines in 1983. He became Director General of the Food Manufacturers Federation, but left 18 months later. Later in life, he raised money for research into liver diseases after having a liver transplant. He was Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
of the Royal Marines from 1990 to 1993, and joined the parade to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War at Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground off Whitehall in central London, at grid reference . It is the site of the annual ceremonies of Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the monarch's official birthday, and Beating Retreat.-History:...
and the Mall on 17 June 2007.
He married his wife, Veryan, in 1966. They had two daughters and a son. In later years, he suffered from arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
and prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. He died on 15 September 2007, aged 79, survived by his wife and three children.