The Royal Scots Borderers 1ST Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Corporal Johnathan Moore was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on 2 July 1987. He went to Hamilton Grammar School before enlisting and going to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004.
He completed a years training, designed to promote junior leadership, before going to the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick for his phase two, infantry specific, training. He joined The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in March 2005 and since then has been on two tours of Iraq.
Corporal Moore deployed as a Section Commander with B Company, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, to Sangin in October 2009.
His company is operating mainly from Patrol Base Wishtan in the Sangin area of Helmand Province, and has been conducting operations to provide security and development to the local nationals, whom they live amongst.
Corporal Moore was commanding his section on a routine night patrol to the south of the Company Base on the evening of the 7 February when an IED detonated killing him and his lead man.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES Battle Group, said:
"Corporal 'John' Moore was as determined and committed as he was able and professional. A junior leader of the rarest quality, our army depends on men like him and his loss is a bitter blow.
"Another of our brightest stars has given his all before we have had the chance to see his full and undoubted potential unfold. Yet he would be the first to tell us not to dwell on our sense of terrible loss but to pick ourselves up and carry on the outstanding work he and his men have been doing.
"Corporal Moore has been at the forefront of some of the most demanding urban counter-insurgency operations imaginable amongst the tight and treacherous alleyways of his company's part of Sangin.
"He has daily and nightly run the gauntlet against a small band of callous insurgents rarely willing to show themselves or fight head on, preferring to rely on indiscriminate booby traps which have also taken a devastating toll on locals and their children.
"Their nihilistic desire to cow the local population stands in stark contrast to Corporal Moore's own selfless dedication, not just to his men - his brave Jocks, but to the local Afghans, for whom he wanted nothing but a better future.
"This Battle Group salutes Corporal Moore's unflinching commitment and reveres his proud memory. He stands as an example to us all and we renew our determination to continue the clear progress that has been made in our mission – progress to which his personal contribution was immeasurable. The thoughts and prayers of all in the 3 Rifles Battle Group go out to his family, his friends and his own fine regiment."
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland said:
"Corporal 'John' Moore was the type of non-commissioned officer that every commanding officer wants in his Battalion, and I am privileged to have had the honour to work with him. He had all the attributes of the perfect Scottish warrior; bold, charismatic, tough as nails, utterly professional and a born leader of men.
"He was destined for the top; best student on his non-commissioned officer course in 2007, and a star of his Corporals course in 2008. As the Regimental Sergeant Major said, "Corporal Moore personified everything there is about being a soldier." I can think of no more fitting tribute to him.
"Corporal John Moore was perfectly suited to this unique profession of ours, and like so many of his peers he looked upon it not as a straightforward job, but as a true vocation. He played a pivotal role during the Battalion's tour in Iraq in 2008, and relished the opportunity of an operational deployment to Afghanistan alongside the 3 RIFLES Battle Group.
"Equally, perhaps more importantly, he believed passionately in the difficult work that he was doing to protect the people of Helmand. In doing so, and in helping to keep our country safe, we owe him and his family an enormous debt of gratitude.
"I valued him immensely and feel his loss dreadfully, but I take comfort in knowing that he died doing a job that he absolutely loved. I have lost one of my most gifted young commanders, the Royal Regiment of Scotland has lost a shining star of the future, but I am conscious that his family have lost a son and a brother. My heart goes out to them. He will be missed, but never forgotten."
Major Graeme Wearmouth, B Company Commander, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland said:
"Corporal John Moore was a big man in lots of way. He was one of the fittest men in the Company and I remember one particular fitness test where his time was so far in front of the rest that it made the remainder of us look like imitation soldiers.
"And he was no imitation. When I first arrived in the Company in 2008 a place came up at very short notice to attend the tough Section Commanders' Battle Course. When I offered him the opportunity to attend he nearly bit my arm off despite having only 3 days notice to prepare. It was typical of him that he went and got a very good pass and came back to us with the glint of ambition in his eye.
"He promoted well ahead of his peers and excelled as a field soldier, always leading from the front, including under fire. But he also had a mischievous side, lived life to the full and was always in the thick of the banter.
"He was universally popular throughout the Company and threw himself into everything he did. As a young man himself, he was close to the Jocks – and they looked up to him without exception. He was the shining example of one of them on the rise – they knew it and wanted to be with him. He was a brother to so many.
"They trusted him implicitly – all of us did - and after this tour he was due posting to a training job where I have no doubt his wonderful mentoring ability would have turned out more young Jocks just wanting to be him.
"We will miss him and are now the poorer for his loss and words seem very empty. But he was where he wanted to be and would be the first to stand up defiantly and tell us to continue our work here in Afghanistan.
"We will honour him by doing so. We have had a genuine star taken from our mist, and are devastated, but hope that those whose grief is far greater than ours, his two sisters Emma and Heather, and his parents Ian and Karen, will take some comfort in knowing that he remains one of a kind to us and will always be remembered. We will all meet on the Re-org. Nemo me impune lacessit"
Lieutenant Dave Clark, 4 Platoon Commander said:
"Corporal John Moore was a young rising star of the battalion; he took every opportunity in his career and life with both hands and didn't look back. Corporal Moore joined the army in 2004 with initial training at Harrogate and ITC Catterick. Since then he had completed 2 tours of Iraq on Op TELIC 7 and 11 and had been deployed on Op HERRICK 11 since October 09. Corporal Moore had excelled as an infantryman and upheld the highest standards of a soldier in The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
"The passion he brought to the job meant quick promotion and after a strong performance on EX GRAND PRIX 6 in Kenya he was given a section to command on operations. Whilst in Afghanistan he led from the front and earned the respect of the Jocks and his chain of command. Corporal Moore had also demonstrated courage under fire and was not afraid to break cover and give as good as he got.
"Corporal Moore also showed courage in his choice of hobbies. He had developed a taste for skydiving during adventurous training in Kenya and when he threw himself out of the plane first, it meant no turning back for the rest of us. Corporal Moore had drive and was looking forward to training recruits at ITC Catterick upon returning from Helmand, he was also focussed on having a crack at SAS selection, where he would have given his all.
"To say that the soldiers of 4 Platoon will miss him is a vast understatement; he was a friend to many and a mentor to the young Jocks. I am proud to have served alongside him and we will continue to serve with a gap in our ranks. Our thoughts are with his parents Karen and Ian and with his sisters Heather and Emma, he was the very best of us."
Warrant Officer Class 2 (CSM), Scotty McQuillan said:
"Corporal John Moore was an extremely fit and focused commander; he was liked and well respected by all. He was a rising star within 1 SCOTS; he will be sorely missed by all. Rest in peace, we will always remember you."
Sergeant Sean Jardine said:
"John was one of the best: keen, enthusiastic and, most of all, loyal to both the Army which he loved and most of all to his family. He always had a smile on his face when telling me about going home to see his niece Esmee.
"He was one of the best Section Commanders I have ever seen and he was well respected within the Company and Platoon. There is a hole in 4 Platoon that will never be filled. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, John."
Sergeant Johnny Gooding of 7 Troop, 42 Field Sqaudron RE said:
"As a section attached to B Company 1 SCOTS, we have only known Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald for a short period of time. When I asked the Engineer Section to sum both John and Mac up this was just a few of the words they used; professional, courageous, selfless, committed and true infantry soldiers. PB Wishtan has lost two true brothers from their close family. To these Warriors we will continue the fight. Rest in peace Corporal John Moore and Pte Sean McDonald."
Corporal Eddie Scott said:
"Big John was a true warrior who wasn't scared of anything the enemy had to fling at him. I was honoured to fight by his side; he will always be in my thoughts. Rest in peace Big Man."
Corporal Sean Cumming said:
"John Moore was a young keen enthusiastic soldier who had all the potential in the world. He was a very strong member of 4 Platoon and all the young Jocks looked up to him. Before we deployed on patrol the night he was killed a fellow soldier had said to John about how bad the weather was. John's reply was; if it isn't raining then you're not patrolling. And that just sums John up. John will be sadly missed and forever in our thoughts. Rest in peace."
Lance Corporal Calum Fleming said:
"I remember the very first time I met John, it was in Baghdad during Op TELIC 7. I didn't know who he was but I had heard how he managed to clear a room within seconds, those who were there will know what I am talking about! The last night we had out together was in Glasgow at Corporal "Eddie" Scott's stag do.
"It was one of the best nights I have ever had thanks to John. But then of course the next morning bright and early he was banging on my door saying let's go shopping because he was never affected by anything. He is the only person I know to be so hyper first thing in the morning. I will always remember him. Rest in peace John."
Lance Corporal James Merrylees said:
"You were more like a brother than a mate, since the day we started Catterick to the day you were taken away, we were always together. You will never be replaced. I don't think anyone is as keen as you. Always up first and ready to annoy us all. Since you fell, me and the boys were talking about Cancun where we paid so much money to get there and you only managed to get out once.
"I remember it like it was yesterday when I was walking along the corridor of the hotel to see your black figure on the floor and as I got closer I realised you were using your trainers as a pillow - that was John being John! There is keen, and then there is "John Moore Keen." Rest in peace, John."
Lance Corporal Kieran Cromie said:
"Corporal John Moore was not only a great work colleague but a great friend and an even better buddy too. He was well respected by all members of 4 Platoon and B Company as a whole. John was a bit of a joker in 4 Platoon and liked to have a carry on all the time.
"He loved to go out and have a drink with his buddies. But the one thing I will remember about John is the smile on his face when he was talking about his niece Esmee. But I must admit John; I don't know who is going to carry me to bed now! Rest in peace John, you will never be forgotten."
Private Stuart Collins said:
"I have known Corporal John Moore for about 1 and a half years. John was not only my army friend but he was a true civvie friend too. We lived near each other in Hamilton and we would meet up at weekends and go for a few drinks.
"I am truly going to miss John and the dramas at the Hamilton Palace. I want to give my deepest regards to all his family and my thoughts are with his niece Esmee, whom I know he wanted to get home to see. And I best not forget about his dog that I know he loved even though he pretended he didn't. I am going to miss John so much and I know that everyone in 4 Platoon will too."
Private Jason Munro said:
"I joined the Battalion with John over 4 years ago and right from the word go he loved his job and he was keen in every way possible. He was the best commander I have ever worked for. He will be truly missed by me and all the guys from 4 Platoon. He will always be in my thoughts, and I am thinking about his family at this difficult time. I will also miss spending time at the weekends out in the town with John. Rest in peace."
Private Carl Fisher said:
"I will always remember Corporal John Moore not only for his love of the Army, but his love of Indie rock music. Not long before we deployed out here to Afghanistan I went on holiday with John and Private Sean Thomas to Ibiza.
"He always wanted to go to a place called the "Ground Zero" because it was well known for playing what he liked. I will miss a lot of things about John but most of all it will be how he would always be there to help and have that big smile on his face. My deepest thoughts and sympathy are with all John's family and friends at this time. You will never be replaced and you will be missed dearly. Rest in peace."
