MORETON, Archibald Herbert (1894-1915)‘Bert’ Moreton was born in London on 19 February 1894, the son of Dr Frederick Moreton and his wife Mary nee Jarvie.
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A H Moreton (War Service).
‘Bert’ was twenty-two months old when he came to Australia with the family settling at ‘Meltham’, Fyansford. He was educated at Geelong College as a day student from 1908 to 1910. After passing the Junior Public Examination he went on to Dookie Agricultural College and subsequently engaged in pastoral pursuits near the You Yangs. He became an active member of the Little River Rifle Club, recognised as one of the best shots in the Geelong district.
He enlisted (542) on 11 January 1915, and embarked for Egypt on
HMAT A16 Star of Victoria on 25 February 1915, going on to Gallipoli as a member of the 8th Australian Light Horse. According to a family member, during his service in the army he was known as 'Arch' rather than 'Bert'. He was killed in action on 7 August 1915 in the attack at Walker's Ridge (The Nek) when the 8th Light Horse, serving as light infantry, made their gallant contribution to Australian history. He was shot as he climbed over the parapet and fell back into the trench. He was buried, aged 21, at Point Cemetery, Gallipoli, by Rev. Edward Makeham from Perth, WA. (Grave A.2.4). This cemetery was late renamed Ari Burnu Cemetery.
Pegasus of December 1915 reported his death:
‘Ted Hendy and Bert Moreton enlisted together, were tent-mates and occupied the same dug-out together, and gave up their lives in the same battle - a conspicuous instance of true Public School ' Comradeship'.His brothers,
Frederick Ewart Moreton (1892-1978); Cecil Knight Moreton (1895-1973); and Dr Arthur Roberts Moreton (1901-1964); were all educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Second World War compiled by James Affleck. pp 75-76 (citing Australian War Memorial; AWM H06268; Photo The Pegasus December 1915); Correspondence J Moreton 16 July 2015.