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Canberra, Robert is recognized on the Roll of Honour at Panel 72 in the
Commemorative area.
Page 7 of the Newcastle Herald 10th November, 1917 read “Mr and Mrs.
C. Croker of Redhead have received word that their eldest son private
Robert Croker was killed in action 15.10.1917”
Robert’s brother, William also enlisted and fought in World War 1. He
served with distinction and received a Military Medal but returned home
“badly wounded”. This was indicated in his parent’s Roll of Honour
Circular. This Circular allowed parents to add information to their son’s
Roll of Honour details at the War Memorial and is a valuable tool for
researchers of a particular soldier.
Harold Foster Moore (Regimental Number 2848)
Harold Moore was born at Waratah but lived in Collier Street, Redhead
when he enlisted on 26 October, 1916
Harold was a single man who worked as a labourer/wheeler. He
embarked, at age 20, to travel half-way around the world to reinforce the
35
th
Battalion, a battalion called “Newcastle’s Own” due to its initial
formation as a battalion representing Newcastle.
His school on the Roll of Honour Circular- see explanation of below- was
Redhead School.
He listed his mother, Mary Emily Moore of Collier Street, Redhead as his
Next of Kin. His father was Edward Foster Moore.
He enlisted as a private in the 35
th
Battalion, 6
th
Reinforcement.
Harold had failed twice before to be declared fit to join the AIF. He was
declared medically unfit in August and December 1915 in the Preliminary
Medical Examination due to varicose veins and an “unfit chest”.
However, his persistence paid off and the passed the same test in October,
1916.
His general unfitness and his eagerness to join the AIF may have cost him
his life as he was not required to join AIF after his earlier medical
failures. While his chaplain had found him to be “zealous in his duty” but
maybe his lack of fitness for duty is shown the fact that he arrived in
France in January 1917 but is hospitalised in the next month with
influenza.
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