Capt
Ronald Wilkinson Moorhouse
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1895 |
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Place of birth: Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Captain |
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Service number: / |
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Enlistment date: 19/14 |
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Units: — King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 1/4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 09/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Bellevue, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 108 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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British War Medal Medal |
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Military Cross Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 1
| #1 | Place of birth |
My story
Captain Ronald W. Moorhouse served in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st/4th Battalion, part of the 148th Brigade of the 49th Division.
His battalion participated in the Battle of Poelcapelle on the 9th of October 1917. On the 7th of October, the battalion received its orders for the attack where it would be in reserve. At 12.15 a.m. the battalion, led by Harry Moorhouse (his father) moved up from the old German front line (Banks Farm) to the assembly position. The night was intensely dark, the track was in bad repair and the progress was consequently slow. Before the 1st/4th Bn. could close up to their assembly position, the enemy put a heavy barrage on the ridge which had to be crossed, causing delay and numerous casualties.
When the division's assault troops were held up by heavy fire, the 4th KOYLI were ordered forward in support. The whole 148th Brigade was now in one line. They advanced up a long slope and came under fire from Wolf Copse and Bellevue. Roland Moorhouse advanced with his company on the first objective, between Marsh Bottom and Waterfields (South of the road between ’s Graventafel and Mosselmarkt). Captain Ronald Moorhouse was mortally wounded at the head of his men. A short time later, Harry was shot by a sniper, as he left his headquarters to try and find medical help for his son. The attack broke down and the troops were forced to return to their original starting positions. Their remains were never recovered and Captain R. Moorhouse and Lieutenant Colonel H. Moorhouse are now both commemorated by name on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
His battalion participated in the Battle of Poelcapelle on the 9th of October 1917. On the 7th of October, the battalion received its orders for the attack where it would be in reserve. At 12.15 a.m. the battalion, led by Harry Moorhouse (his father) moved up from the old German front line (Banks Farm) to the assembly position. The night was intensely dark, the track was in bad repair and the progress was consequently slow. Before the 1st/4th Bn. could close up to their assembly position, the enemy put a heavy barrage on the ridge which had to be crossed, causing delay and numerous casualties.
When the division's assault troops were held up by heavy fire, the 4th KOYLI were ordered forward in support. The whole 148th Brigade was now in one line. They advanced up a long slope and came under fire from Wolf Copse and Bellevue. Roland Moorhouse advanced with his company on the first objective, between Marsh Bottom and Waterfields (South of the road between ’s Graventafel and Mosselmarkt). Captain Ronald Moorhouse was mortally wounded at the head of his men. A short time later, Harry was shot by a sniper, as he left his headquarters to try and find medical help for his son. The attack broke down and the troops were forced to return to their original starting positions. Their remains were never recovered and Captain R. Moorhouse and Lieutenant Colonel H. Moorhouse are now both commemorated by name on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Harry Moorhouse
Father and son |
Sources 6
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"The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Great War", Bond R.C., London, Percy Lund, Humphries & co. LTD, 1929, pg. 898-899. Sources used |
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"The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pg. 107-108. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.co.uk/ Further reference |
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CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/831356/MOORHOUSE,%20RONALD%20WILKINSON Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st/4th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |