SIR JEREMY MOOREMajor General Sir Jeremy Moore, who died on 15 September, 2007, aged 79, was regarded by his troops as a professional and scrupulous officer.His 36-year military career culminated in his command of British land forces during the Falklands War in 1982 and receiving the surrender of the Argentinean army.Part of a long-serving military family, Major General Moore began his military service in 1947 with the Royal Marines. He was originally intending to join the Fleet Air Arm, but decided that the Marines were “vastly more exciting and interesting”.His first active service was in the Malayan jungle with 40 Commando RM unit where he claimed to have had a “tremendous” and “absolutely smashing” time. He spent three years fighting Chinese Communist guerrillas and was awarded the Military Cross.He served as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst for three years, then returned to the Far East with 42 Commando unit. There he led a company of commandos in a successful mission to rescue six hostages (including a British citizen) from Malaysian rebels for which a Bar was added to his Military Cross.In 1963 he joined the 17th Gurkha Division which was engaged in North Borneo combating an Indonesian incursion.He also carried out a sea duty on the commando carrier HMS Bulwark as amphibious operations officer, experience that would be vital in the Falklands.After being promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1971, he was appointed in command of his former unit, 42 Commando. They completed two tours in Northern Ireland and he was awarded an OBE for his services in 1973.He was made a Major General and put in charge of all commando forces in 1979. Three years later he was given a CBE.Major General Moore had been set for retirement that year when Sir Steuart Pringle, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, was injured by an IRA bomb. Major General Moore was asked to take over the role while Pringle recuperated.In April 1982 Britain declared war with Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands andhe joined 8,000 troops facing a superior force on the South Atlantic islands.The Falklands was a difficult conflict for British forces facing rough, hilly terrain and wet conditions. Major General Moore was praised for keeping his soldiers upbeat despite the gruelling conditions while also appeasing the War Cabinet back in England.The war came to an end in June when Argentine commander Mario Menendez and 9,800 troops surrendered to Major General Moore after the capture of Port Stanley.He finally left the military in 1983 and was awarded the title Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KBE). Following his retirement he made motivational and after-dinner speaking appearances.He was survived by his wife of 31 years, Veryan, and their son and two daughters
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