Commando Magazine edition 3 2020

VALE – 3165645 ALLAN LESLIE MOORE
RAN (WW2) & 2 Commando Company
19 February 1926 – 08 June 2020
Allan served in 2 Com -
mando Company from
December 1955 to mid-
1960. His previous WW2 service
was in HMAS Shropshire as an
Able Seaman, during the New
Guinea, Philippines and Borneo
Campaigns, and at the Japanese
surrender in Tokyo Bay. Among
Allan's campaign medals are the
1939-45 Pacific Star and the
Philippines Star.
Allan was on the unit's fourth
parachute course in 1956, was a
member of the first group to gain
the Green Beret and one of the
first to qualify as an officer in the
unit. In Allan’s parachute course
photo, the Commandos still wore
the Rising Sun badge, and Allan
wore his WW2 ribbons on his
chest, as did a number of the
RAAF and ARA staff of the joint
Air Force-Army Parachute Train -
ing Wing (PTW), as it was then
designated, located at William -
town.
His contemporaries in the unit included Ted
Malone, Don Bergman, Kevin Collins, Ray Sanders,
Dick Cara, Bob Payne, Peter Robinson, Roman Stuc -
zynski, John O'Rourke, and many other dis tin guished
early serving members of the Company. Allan had an
enduring and strong friendship with Bob and Dick and
moved to Queensland in later years, near them both.
Allan's wife Jackie acted as a hostess for many unit
social occasions, when guests often included PJIs
down from Williamtown to conduct continuation
training.
Dick Cara said Allan had occasion to attend a law
court in Stawell and took the Company’s Royal Marine
instructor “Mac” McDermott with him and they spent
the weekend at the Grampians, where Mac found
some suitable areas to teach the Unit members the
skills of rock climbing. As time progressed more
members became aware of the challenges of rock
climbing. A small group of friends made the “Bellfield
Hotel” their home away from home and at one stage
spent nine weekends in succession climbing around
the Pinnacle and later on Halls Gap. Allan was
appointed to Commissioned Rank in October 1958
and transferred to a senior position within Southern
Command in July 1960.
By Mr Dick Pelling - ACA VIC
Allan Moore climbing in the Victorian Grampians
in the 1950s.
Photo courtesy Peter Robinson and Bob Payne.
Allan was married to Jackie for
45 years until her death in 1992
and to Jean for 20 years until
2019. He had three sons – Ian,
Neil and Danny, seven grand -
children and eight great grand -
children.
In his working life Allan was a
partner in Allan Moore Law
practice, then Allan Moore and
Co, for 48 years, during 18 years
of which his son Danny was a
partner in the practice.
During the time he lived at
Ocean Grove and Allan was an
active surf life saver at the Ocean
Grove Surf Life Saving Club for
many years and served as
President during some of that
time.
One of Allan’s sons, Ian, also
served in 2 Commando Company
from 1969 to 1971 before trans -
ferring to 1 Commando Com pany
in Sydney. Peter Robinson, who
served with Allan in the 1950s and
remained in touch with him and other friends over the
years, wrote “He will be greatly missed”.
Former 2 Cdo Coy Sergeant Geoff Woodman said,
“I remember Allan well from the time I was a midteenager
‘hanging around’ the Unit at Picnic Point.
Allan was always a very competent gentleman, easy to
talk to in passing and later (helpful with) some minor
legal work.” “It is interesting that quite a number of
very enthusiastic and well-educated chaps joined the
Unit in 1955 as recruits when their education would
have entitled them to chase a commission in the likes
of MUR, rather than as a recruit Commando. They
were great assets to 2 Cdo Coy and dedicated by the
time they were urged to take promotion”, Geoff said.
Allan had reached the age of 94. As the family said,
“A life well lived, that touched many others. He was a
good bloke. He passed peacefully”.
The family said Allan's life will be commemorated
at a future date, in accordance with his wishes.
All members of the Australian Commando Asso -
ciation offer their thoughts and sympathy to Allan’s
sons Ian, Neil and Dan, his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren
and all of the family.
Rest in Peace.
COMMANDO FOR LIFE
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 3 I 2020 33