Nickname(s) "Mick" Service/branch Australian Army | Allegiance Australia Buried at Mount Duneed Cemetery Name Mick Moon | |
 | ||
Died 28 February 1986(1986-02-28) (aged 93)
Barwon Heads | ||
Years of service 1914–1919
1942–1945 | ||
Rupert Theo Vance "Mick" Moon, VC (14 August 1892 – 28 February 1986) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Early life and First World War
Moon was born at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, on 14 August 1892. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Moon of Kinaird, Toorak, Victoria. When he left school he worked for the National Bank of Australasia and was at the Maffra branch when World War I began. He was 24 years old, and a lieutenant in the 58th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12 May 1917 near Bullecourt, France, Lieutenant Moon's immediate objective was a position in advance of a hostile trench, and then against the trench itself, after the capture of which it was intended that his men should co-operate in a further assault. Although wounded in the initial advance, he reached the first objective, but was again wounded in the assault on the trench. He nevertheless continued to inspire and encourage his men and captured the trench, but was again wounded when consolidating the position. It was not until he was severely wounded for a fourth time that he agreed to retire from the fight. He later achieved the rank of captain.
His Victoria Cross which he received from King George V at an investiture at Buckingham Palace is displayed at the Australian War Memorial.
Post-war and later life
After he returned from the war he resumed working for the National Bank in Geelong, a position he held until he took up a senior position with Dennys Lascelles Ltd. On 17 December 1931 he married Sammy Vincent at St George's Church Geelong.
He lived at Calder Park, Mount Duneed from 1954 to 1978. He died at his home at Barwon Heads on 28 February 1986 and was buried in the Anglican section of Mount Duneed Cemetery.
Legacy
In 1918 an avenue of honour was created linking Bacchus Marsh to the Western Highway. Constructed from elm trees, the avenue was planted to commemorate soldiers from Bacchus Marsh who served in the First World War. The 164th tree in the avenue was planted and dedicated to Moon. In recent years, Moon Reserve was unveiled at the beginning of the Avenue of Honour in honour of Rupert Vance Moon. In 2010, the Avenue of Honour was nominated to be placed on the National Heritage list.
On 12 May 2008, the Rupert Vance Moon V.C. Memorial Garden was unveiled at the Mount Duneed Cemetery, with a large crowd in attendance, including Moon's descendents, representatives from the Returned and Services League of Australia, and past and present soldiers.