Born in Chatham in 1921 the youngest son of Mr. J.  ‘Roy’ Orm and Annabell Moore of Mud Creek Club, Electric, Dover Twsp., Kent Co. later of Pine St., Chatham. Bill had a brother Bob who was stationed at Aylmer with the RCAF and an elder brother Tpr. Raymond Moore who was stationed in England.

Bill enlisted in November of 1942 with the Essex Scottish in Windsor. The WN 24/06/43 reported that William was spending his ‘embarkation furlough’ with his family at the Mud Creek Club. The CDN 22/04/43 reported that Bill had arrived overseas.

Bill trained in Windsor, Chatham, Calgary Kingston and Ipperwash, ON. and Halifax, before going overseas.

The CDN 4/09/43(P) reported he sent a letter to his parents from Sicily. He reported that he was well  and enjoying life. He stated that the troops are well fed and housed. He was with the first Canadian troops to land in Sicily.

He served in Sicily and Italy France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. An article in the CDN 4/01/44 reports how he had meet Charles Gates, Bill Shepley a Pte. Prior and “the two Titus boys” all of Chatham.

It seems that Bill had a subscription to the Chatham Daily News and when he was finished with it passed it on to other soldiers, they were always hungry for any news from Canada. One of the discarded papers was found by Charles Gates and through the mailing label tracked down Pte. Moore. From there the circle of soldiers from Chatham grew.

At some point Bill was returned to England and was in the D-Day landing 6 June, 1944 where he was severely wounded in the stomach.  

At some point Bill was returned to England and was in the D-Day landing 6 June, 1944 where he was severely wounded in the stomach. The 21 year old soldier wrote a letter home shortly after landing in Normandy date 29 June:  “Have just spent four days in a slit trench under intensive fire which ha prevented me from even lifting his head. 

His regiment had been brought out for a short rest and it is believed that he received his wound shortly after he returned to the battle-line. He was severely wounded in the stomach on 6 July 1944.The wound was caused by a bullet from and enemy rifle. CDN 13/07/44(P)

The CDN 28/11/45(P) reported that William had arrived in Canada aboard the Queen Elizabeth and was visiting his parents. He was discharged from the army in June 1945.

William passed away 6 May,  2002. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CFF-FD44, KCFA, LM-LP, CCHR-V, W-RH, IODE(P), WN(3), CDN(3), WRH-MW

Age	born 1921
Birthplace	Chatham
Religion	Anglican
When Enlisted	August 15th 1942
Next of Kin	Annabelle Moore (Mother)

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