John Moore (British soldier)

Sir John Moore (November 13, 1761 – January 16, 1809) was a British soldier and General.

Related Topics:
November 13 - 1761 - January 16 - 1809 - British

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He was born in Glasgow, the son of John Moore, a doctor and writer. As a child he was schooled in Geneva and travelled around France, Italy and Germany, He joined the British Army in 1776 as an ensign in the 51st Foot then based in Minorca. He first saw action in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War as a lieutenant in the 82nd under the 8th Duke of Hamilton. In 1783 he returned to Britain and in 1784 he was elected to Parliament as the Member for Lanark, Selkirk, Peebles and Linlithgow, a seat he held until 1790.

Related Topics:
Glasgow - John Moore - Geneva - Minorca - American Revolutionary War - 8th Duke of Hamilton

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In 1787 he was made a Major and joined the 60th briefly before returning to the 51st. In 1791 his unit was assigned to the Mediterranean and he was involved in campaigning in Corsica and was wounded at Calvi. He was given a Colonelcy and became Adjutant-General to Sir Charles Stuart. Personal problems in Corsica led to him being reassigned to Sir Ralph Abercromby in the West Indies. In 1798 he was made a Major-General and served in Ireland.

Related Topics:
Mediterranean - Corsica - Calvi - Sir Ralph Abercromby - Ireland

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In 1799 he commanded a brigade in the expedition to Egmont-op-Zee, his force was badly defeated and he was seriously injured himself. He recovered to lead the 52nd regiment during their campaigns in Egypt. He returned to England in 1803 to head the training of a brigade based at Shorncliffe camp, here he was involved in the training of Britain's first permanent light infantry regiments. He had a reputation as an exceptionally humane leader and trainer of men; it is said that when new buildings were being constructed at the camp and the architect asked him where the paths should go, he told him to wait some months and see where the men walked, then put the paths there. The barracks are now named after him. Sir Arthur Bryant wrote, "Moore's contribution to the British Army was not only that matchless Light Infantry who have ever since enshrined his training, but also the belief that the perfect soldier can only be made by evoking all that is finest in man - physical, mental and spiritual".

Related Topics:
Egmont-op-Zee - Shorncliffe camp - Sir Arthur Bryant

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When it became clear that Napoleon was planning an invasion of England, Moore was put in charge of the defence of the coast from Dover to Dungeness. It was on his initiative that the Martello Towers were constructed, following a pattern he had been impressed with in Corsica, where similar fortifications had kept the Royal Navy at bay. He also initiated the cutting of the Grand Military Canal in Sussex, and recruited about 340,000 volunteers to a militia that would have defended the lines of the South Downs if an invading force had broken through the regular army defences. In 1804 Moore was knighted and promoted to Lieutenant-General. In 1806 he returned to active duty in the Mediterranean and then in 1808 in the Baltic to assist the Swedish. Disagreements with Gustavus IV led to him being soon sent home where he was ordered to Portugal.

Related Topics:
Napoleon - Dover - Dungeness - Martello Tower - Grand Military Canal - Sussex - South Downs - Mediterranean - Gustavus IV - Portugal

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Moore took comand of the British forces in the Iberian peninsula following the return of more senior commanders to Britain to face an inquiry over the Convention of Cintra. When Napoleon arrived in Spain with 200,000 men, Moore drew the French northwards by retreating to La Coruña. The British forces rallied to hold the town while they were evacuated and Moore was killed during the Battle of Corunna. Sir John Moore was buried in the ramparts of the town. When the French took the town, a monument was built over his grave by the orders of Marshal Soult. The monument was rebuilt and made more permanent in 1811.

Related Topics:
Convention of Cintra - Napoleon - La Coruña - Battle of Corunna - Marshal Soult

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