Lot Essay
INDENTVictoria Cross London Gazette 26.12.1918 Martin Moffat, No. 18321, Private, 2nd Battn. Leinster Regt. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 14 Oct. 1914, near Ledeghem, when advancing with five comrades across the open the party suddenly came under heavy rifle fire at close range from a strongly held house. Rushing towards the house through a hail of bullets, Private Moffat threw bombs, and then working towards the back of the house, rushed the door single-handed, killing two and capturing 30 of the enemy. He displayed the greatest valour and initiative throughout".
During the evening of the 13th. October 1918, the 2nd. Batallion Leinster Regiment which formed the storm troops of the 88th. Brigade (29th. Division, 2nd. Corps), moved up to the assembly positions for their assault in the Ledeghem sector on the following day.
The Battle of Courtrai was opened in the early morning of the 14th. by an assault along the whole Flanders front from Dixmude to the Lys by Plumer's 2nd. Army together with Belgian and French forces, Aware of an impending attack, the Germans laid down a strong "counter preparation" bombardment by artillery and trench mortars; in some sectors, gas was also reported. Although the advance was made through a thick mist, the initial attack was generally successful and the 88th Brigade led by the Leinster battalion crossed the Menin-Roulers railway and cleared Ledeghem by about 9 a.m. However, serious enemy resistance was encountered from a fortified farmhouse and it was here that Private Moffat won his Victoria Cross and cleared the way for the rest of his battalion to advance. Directly after his timely act of gallantry, Moffat took charge of his own prisoners with about 100 others, marched them to the rear, and before handing them over to the Assistant Provost Marshal, demanded a chit (receipt) for their safe delivery; he returned to his front line duty that morning.
Private Martin Moffat, V.C. (1884-1946) born in Sligo, Ireland, joined the 6th. Battalion Connaught Rangers and served with them in France from December 1915; was transferred to the 2nd. Battalion Leinster Regiment early in 1918 and served with them until the end of the war.
Moffat received his Victoria Cross in unique circumstances: At an open air investiture held in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace, three names were called out, Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty - Order of Merit, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig - Order of Merit and Private Moffat 2nd. Leinster Regiment - Victoria Cross. Somewhat bewildered by this 'turn of events' Moffat stated after the ceremony that after following Sir Douglas Haig and shaking hands with the King he was "all of a fluster".
Private Moffat drowned off Sligo, 5th. January, 1946; he had suffered from a weak heart and had also been receiving a 100 war disability pension
During the evening of the 13th. October 1918, the 2nd. Batallion Leinster Regiment which formed the storm troops of the 88th. Brigade (29th. Division, 2nd. Corps), moved up to the assembly positions for their assault in the Ledeghem sector on the following day.
The Battle of Courtrai was opened in the early morning of the 14th. by an assault along the whole Flanders front from Dixmude to the Lys by Plumer's 2nd. Army together with Belgian and French forces, Aware of an impending attack, the Germans laid down a strong "counter preparation" bombardment by artillery and trench mortars; in some sectors, gas was also reported. Although the advance was made through a thick mist, the initial attack was generally successful and the 88th Brigade led by the Leinster battalion crossed the Menin-Roulers railway and cleared Ledeghem by about 9 a.m. However, serious enemy resistance was encountered from a fortified farmhouse and it was here that Private Moffat won his Victoria Cross and cleared the way for the rest of his battalion to advance. Directly after his timely act of gallantry, Moffat took charge of his own prisoners with about 100 others, marched them to the rear, and before handing them over to the Assistant Provost Marshal, demanded a chit (receipt) for their safe delivery; he returned to his front line duty that morning.
Private Martin Moffat, V.C. (1884-1946) born in Sligo, Ireland, joined the 6th. Battalion Connaught Rangers and served with them in France from December 1915; was transferred to the 2nd. Battalion Leinster Regiment early in 1918 and served with them until the end of the war.
Moffat received his Victoria Cross in unique circumstances: At an open air investiture held in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace, three names were called out, Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty - Order of Merit, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig - Order of Merit and Private Moffat 2nd. Leinster Regiment - Victoria Cross. Somewhat bewildered by this 'turn of events' Moffat stated after the ceremony that after following Sir Douglas Haig and shaking hands with the King he was "all of a fluster".
Private Moffat drowned off Sligo, 5th. January, 1946; he had suffered from a weak heart and had also been receiving a 100 war disability pension