Charles Moore Memorial Fountain

The Boer War Memorial, in St. Vincent Gardens on Montague Street and St. Vincent Place, comprises of a pillar dedicated to the memory of Trooper Charles "Charlie" Moore. Moore was the first VFL/AFL footballer killed in war. Moore was 25 when he enlisted in the 4th Victorian Contingent, the ictorian Imperial Bushmen. The 631- strong unit left Melbourne on 1 May 1900, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas William Kelly, who was wounded in February 1901 and invalided to England. On 12 May, Moore was on patrol near Mt Tooberg, South Africa when he had his horse shot out from underneath him. He took cover behind the body of the fallen horse and was seriously wounded when a bullet passed through its dead body. Moore eventually killed his Boer opponent after eight shots and was crawling to safety when he was found by his comrades. He was taken to the nearby Kwaggashoek Farm but died of his wounds on 13th May 1902, aged 26.

Moore is buried in the Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery

Acknowledgement:

Comments/History and Significance Information (If shown)

All information shown in these areas were obtained from war memorial reports downloaded from the Heritage Victoria Council

The Victorian War Heritage Inventory is a non-regulatory inventory which lists war-related sites in Victoria. There are no criteria for inclusion beyond a site being war related and requested for inclusion by a member of the public or an ex-service or heritage organisation.