Arthur Thomas Moore

He charged the Persian square and fought with a broken sword

Arthur Thomas Moore was born at Carlingford, County Louth, on 20 September 1830. The son of an Army officer, he was educated at Haileybury before going to India in 1850 and joining the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry.

During the Anglo-Persian War he served at Reshire and Khushab. On 8 February 1857 he rode at the front of a cavalry charge against a Persian infantry square. His horse fell after entering the formation, leaving him on foot with a broken sword among the opposing troops. Lieutenant John Grant Malcolmson fought through to him and offered a stirrup, enabling Moore to escape. Both officers received the Victoria Cross.

Moore subsequently served with Sir Hugh Rose's Central India Field Force during the Indian rebellion, including operations at Ratgurh, Saugor, Garhakota, Kalpi and Gwalior. His conduct brought mentions in despatches. The announcement of his Victoria Cross appeared on 3 August 1860, and he received it in Bombay in October 1861.

He married Annie Prentice in 1864 and continued his career in India, including civil employment supervising cotton frauds. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1887, he later held the honorary rank of major-general. He died in Dublin on 25 April 1913 and was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation

On the occasion of an attack on the enemy on the 8th of February, 1857, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes, C.B., Lieutenant Moore, the Adjutant of the Regiment, was, perhaps, the first of all by a horse’s length. His horse leaped into the square, and instantly fell dead, crushing down his rider, and breaking his sword as he fell amid the broken ranks of the enemy. Lieutenant Moore speedily extricated himself, and attempted with his broken sword to force his way through the press; but he would assuredly have lost his life, had not the gallant young Lieutenant Malcolmson, observing his peril, fought his way to his dismounted comrade through a crowd of enemies to his rescue, and, giving him his stirrup, safely carried him through everything out of the throng. The thoughtfulness for others, cool determination, devoted courage, and ready activity shewn in extreme danger by this young Officer, Lieutenant Malcolmson, appear to have been most admirable, and to be worthy of the highest honour.