Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John was born at Barnard Castle in 1880 possibly the son of single mother Mary O'Hara and in 1881 they were both living with his grandparents Patrick and Mary O'Hara at Thorngate Barnard Castle.
In 1897 John Thomas O'Hara enlisted at Barnard Castle and joined the 3rd Durham Light Infantry. He became a sergeant in December 1899 until 11th June 1901.
In the summer of 1901 John Thomas O'Hara married Mary Elizabeth Melia at Middlesbrough.
The 1911 census shows that he is now known as John Thomas Moore and his wife Mary Elizabeth and their four children William, Thomas, Lily Mary and John Leo. The 6 family members lived in 2 roomed accommodation on The Bank, Barnard Castle. He worked as a carter. Daughter Winifred was born 22nd February 1914. Son William died in Summer 1915.
John embarked for France on April 19th 1915.
The Teesdale Mercury 16/06/1915 published a letter written by John from France:-
“I am proud of my battalion. I commenced my career with them as a private soldier and I have for the second time in my service, through merit, attained the rank of Sergeant.”
John Thomas died of wounds on December 27th 1915.
The inscription on his grave carries the Words- I died for the good of the nation.
He lies in the cemetery alongside over 10,000 of his comrades.
His pension card says alias O'Hara.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John Thomas Moore is remembered in Barnard Castle on B135.02 as OHara Moore, J.T., B135.23 as John Thomas O'Hara Moore and B135.25 as J.T. O'Hara Moore
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 340 as J.T. Moore
