Australian Dictionary of Biography

Donald Ticehurst Moore (1892-1972), soldier and accountant, was born on 28 March 1892 at Flowerbank, Singleton, New South Wales, son of Thomas Henry Moore and his wife Jane, née Anderson, both born at Singleton. His father was the manager of James Moore & Co., a major local trading business. Educated at Singleton Superior Public School and St Leonards Public School in Sydney, Donald later attended the Smith Premier Business College, Sydney, where he studied accountancy. His military career began with service in the senior cadets and he was then appointed second lieutenant in the 18th (North Sydney) Infantry and promoted lieutenant in February 1914.

On the outbreak of World War I Moore was appointed a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, on 28 August and embarked for Egypt in October. On 25 April 1915, then a platoon commander in 'C' Company, he landed at Anzac Cove, in the second wave of the assault. The battalion was in continual action until 9 August when it was relieved and moved back to Lemnos. On 2 May Moore was promoted captain and company commander and was leading an attack on Lone Pine on 6 August when, jumping into a trench, he fell on the bayonet of a dying Turk and was severely wounded. Convalescing in England, he was promoted major in December; he returned to the 3rd Battalion in Egypt on 24 February 1916 and sailed for France in March.

After a short period of training Moore's battalion entered the front line at Fleurbaix on 5 May and was in action until 4 July when it was moved to Amiens to prepare for a new offensive which culminated in the capture of Pozières. Moore was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for leading his men through heavy shell-fire and an intense barrage to an advanced position at Pozières. The next major action for his battalion was the capture of Mouquet Farm where on 18 August the unit came under a heavy artillery bombardment; Moore was again wounded and evacuated to England.

On 1 December Moore was appointed commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, vice Lieutenant-Colonel O. G. Howell-Price who had died of wounds. On 9 December Moore returned to his unit, was promoted lieutenant-colonel and remained as C.O. until the battalion was disbanded on 20 January 1920.

During 1917 the 3rd Battalion was engaged in severe actions including Bullecourt and the 3rd battle of Ypres. It served continuously until September 1918 and fought in the battle of the Lys and finally in the battle of the Hindenburg outpost line. Moore returned to Australia in January 1920 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in May. For his war service, apart from his D.S.O., he was appointed C.M.G., mentioned in dispatches three times and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre and the Ordre de la Couronne. He was highly regarded by his battalion and was one of only eight A.I.F. battalion commanders who were aged 24 or less when given command.

Following his return to civilian life Moore was president of his battalion association for many years. He practised accountancy in Sydney and also retained his military interests, being appointed to command the 18th Battalion (militia) in 1921; he was placed on the reserve of officers in 1929. In World War II he served in various home appointments in 1939-44 and was retired in 1951 with the honorary rank of colonel.

Moore married Eileen Mary Blattman at Concord on 23 April 1952 and died on 25 December 1972 at Mona Vale, being survived by his wife.