Personal info
- Name: Rupert Vance MOON
- D.O.B: 14th Aug, 1892
- D.O.A: 12th May, 1917
- D.O.D: 28th Feb, 1986
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Lieutenant, 58th Battalion (Victoria), 15th Brigade, 5th Division, Australian Imperial Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Bullecourt, France 12 May 1917
12 May 1917
The First World War 1917
On 12 May 1917 men from 58th Battalion 15th Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, took part in a further attack on the German line at Bullecourt, south-east of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles. Lieutenant R V Moon’s platoon was detailed to capture an enemy machine-gun position in front of their first line and then moved on to attack the trench itself, capturing the Germans who were driven out of it.
Citation
[For] most conspicuous bravery during an [attack] on an enemy strong point. His own immediate objective was a posi[tion in] advance of the hostile trench, and [thence] against the hostile trench itself, after [the cap]ture of which it was intended that his men [sho]uld co-operate in a further assault on a str[ong p]oint further in rear. Although wounded in the initial advance, he reached his first objective. Leading his men against the trench itself, he was again badly wounded and incapacitated for the moment. He nevertheless inspired and encouraged his men and captured the trench. Lt. Moon continued to lead his much diminished command in the general attack with the utmost valour, being again wounded, and the attack was successfully pressed home. During the consolidation of the position, this officer was again badly wounded, and it was only after this fourth and severe wound through the face that he consented to retire from the fight. His bravery was magnificent, and was largely instrumental in the successful issue against superior numbers, the safeguarding of the flank of the attack and the capture of many prisoners and machine guns.