| Robert Moran was the only son and eldest child of Thomas and Bridget Moran. Thomas Moran married Bridget McGlade on 17th June 1899 in the district of Magherafelt.
|
| Robert Moran was born about 1899 in Desertmartin.
|
| The 1901 census lists Robert as age 3 living with the family at house 8 in Dromore, Desertmartin, County Londonderry. Thomas was an agricultural labourer.
|
| The 1911 census lists Robert as age 12 living with the family at house 6 in Desertmartin Town. He was still at school.
|
| Robert Moran enlisted in Magherafelt. He was living in Desertmartin at the time.
|
|
|
| Lance Corporal Robert Moran was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Belgium on Monday 14th October 1918.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th November 1918:
|
|
| MORAN – Killed in action in France on 14th October 1918, Lance Corporal Robert Moran, dearly beloved and only son of Thomas and Bridget Moran, Ballynagowan, Desertmartin, aged 20 years.
|
|
‘Robert, my son, I was grieved to the heart,
|
|
The night it became our sad fortune to part;
|
|
With a shake of the hand, and a kiss on the brow,
|
|
Beloved of my blossom, Oh where are you now?
|
|
Although he was loved and respected by all,
|
|
It was his misfortune in battle to fall;
|
|
And now he lies low in the red fields of France,
|
|
The bugle may sound, but he will not advance.
|
|
Gallant and brave, with all his might,
|
|
He fought for honour, truth and right;
|
|
No stone or tablet marks his grave,
|
|
He has returned to God who gave.’
|
| Lance Corporal Moran is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery. The cemetery is located 16 km east of Ypres town centre in Belgium.
|
|
| The CWGC record Lance Corporal R Moran as the son of Thomas and Bridget Moran of Desertmartin, Co. Derry.
|
|
