Dashwood Fowler Moir facts for kids
Vice-Admiral Dashwood Fowler Moir was a brave British naval officer. He served with great courage in the Royal Navy during both World War I and World War II. Sadly, he was killed in action while protecting ships in the North Atlantic. This happened during a dangerous journey known as Convoy SC 94. He was one of the highest-ranking Royal Navy officers to die during the Second World War.
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Dashwood Fowler Moir was born on August 16, 1880, in St Andrews, Scotland. His father was Dr. John Wilson Moir.
He joined the Royal Navy in July 1894, right after finishing school. His first posting was to South Africa during the Second Boer War. This was a conflict that took place from 1899 to 1902.
In 1902, he was part of an important trip along the River Niger in a ship called HMS Thrush. He was promoted to Lieutenant in June of that year. In 1907, he took command of HMS TB7. He became a Lieutenant Commander in 1910. By 1912, he was the captain of HMS Ariel. He was promoted to Commander in 1914.
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World War I Service
Moir and his ship, the Ariel, took part in early battles of World War I. These included the Battle of Dogger Bank and the Battle of Heligoland Bight. These were important naval clashes in the North Sea.
In October 1914, he moved to command the destroyer HMS Goshawk. He then saw action in the huge Battle of Jutland. This was one of the biggest naval battles in history. During this battle, he also led the First Destroyer Flotilla. He was officially mentioned for his bravery after the battle.
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In 1917, he was given command of a new destroyer, HMS Vimiera. In July 1918, he moved to HMS Valhalla. In March 1918, he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). This award is given for outstanding service in battle.
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Between the Wars
Moir left Valhalla in January 1919. He was promoted to Captain in June 1919. In December 1920, he commanded HMS Bruce. He also led the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. In 1921, he moved to HMS Mackay. This ship was a Submarine tender, which means it supported submarines.
From 1925 to 1926, he was a Flag Captain in Malta. This meant he was a senior officer at the naval dockyards there. In 1929, he took charge of the Royal Navy Dockyards in Sheerness, England. In early 1931, he commanded his last large ship. This was HMS Glorious, a large aircraft carrier. It was on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea.
On July 19, 1931, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. He was then placed on the Retired List the next day. Even though he was retired, he was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1936.
World War II and Final Mission
When World War II began, Vice-Admiral Moir returned to active duty. In October 1941, he was made a Commodore (Second Class) in the Royal Navy Reserve. He was put in charge of supporting convoys. Convoys are groups of merchant ships traveling together for protection. He successfully led Convoy ON 36 and Convoy HX 165.
In July 1942, Convoy SC 94 left Sydney, Nova Scotia. Moir was the Commodore of the merchant fleet. He sailed on the ship Trehata. The convoy was soon found by a "wolf pack." This was a group of German U-boats (submarines). The U-boats attacked the convoy.
The Trehata was hit by a torpedo and sunk by the German submarine U-176. This happened on August 8, 1942, near Cape Farewell off the coast of Greenland. Vice-Admiral Moir was declared "missing, presumed dead" the next day.
Memorials
Vice-Admiral Moir is remembered on his parents' grave. This grave is in St Andrews Cemetery, near St Andrews Cathedral. He is also listed on the Liverpool Naval Memorial in England.
Family Life
In 1908, Dashwood Fowler Moir married Ada Frances Margaret Muir Muirhead. They had three sons and one daughter. The family later lived in Brimpton, near Reading, England.
