The Burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna
Not a drum was heard, nor a funeral note,
As his corse to the rampart we hurried;
Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot
O'er the grave where our hero we buried.
We buried him darkly at dead of night,
The sods with our bayonets turning;
By the struggling moonbeam's misty light
And the lanthorn dimly burning.
No useless coffin enclosed his breast,
Nor in sheet nor in shroud we wound him;
But he lay like a warrior taking his rest
With his martial cloak around him.
Few and short were the prayers we said,
And we spoke not a word of sorrow;
But we steadfastly gazed on the face that was dead,
And we bitterly thought of the morrow.
We thought, as we hollowed his narrow bed
And smoothed down his lonely pillow,
That the foe and the stranger would tread o'er his head,
And we far away on the billow!
Lightly they'll talk of the spirit that's gone
And o'er his cold ashes upbraid him,--
But little he'll reck, if they let him sleep on
In the grave where a Briton has laid him.
But half of our heavy task was done
When the clock struck the hour for retiring:
And we heard the distant and random gun
That the foe was sullenly firing.
Slowly and sadly we laid him down,
From the field of his fame fresh and gory;
We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone,
But left him alone with his glory.
Commentary
I learnt this one way back in school, and it has stuck with me ever since - the resonant lines, the timeworn but never trite sentiments and the well-turned phrases make this a particularly memorable poem. The last two lines of the second verse, in particular, are among my favourite pieces of verse, both for the image and the sound of the words.
— Martin
Notes
The battle of Corunna was part of the Peninsular War
January 16, 1809: Sir John Moore, given command, takes the small British army through Portugal and into Spain to support the rumoured Spanish uprising and relieve Madrid. When this proves to be false, he has to retreat over and through terrible snow covered mountains pursued by Bonaparte himself with a massive army. Though saving Spain from fulI occupation and conquest by the French, he partially loses control of his army and scenes of drunkeness ensue. At Corunna harbour, he defeats the French pursuit under Marshal Soult but is killed at the moment of victory.
http://www.sharpe.stayfree.co.uk/the_battles-noframes.htm
Biography
b. Dec. 14, 1791, Dublin, Ire.
d. Feb. 21, 1823, Queenstown, County Cork
Irish poet and clergyman, whose “Burial of Sir John Moore” (1817), commemorating the commander of the British forces at the Battle of Corunna (La Coruqa, Spain) during the Peninsular War, is one of the best-known funeral elegies in English. Wolfe attended Trinity College, Dublin, was ordained in 1817, and held curacies in County Tyrone.
– EB
Show 31 commentsHide comments
From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
b.t.stephens · 5 June 2000
It may be an irrelevancy (but I have always liked this poem, from schooldays 60 years ago), but I was surprised when putting a line in on the web and getting various pages, that his Corpse was hurried. I always remember that it was his Corse, not corpse. Who is right?
Terry Moore · 8 July 2000
Would anybody know the family tree of Sir John Moore? Where he came from. His father and mothers names , if he had brothers and sisters, wife and children if any. We are trying to put a family tree together Thanking you,
T.R.Moore
RockysGrace · 22 August 2001
This poem touched my heart. I am researching my genealogy and my great, great. grandfather, James Grant, who was a Corporal in the British army and took part in the epic retreat at Corunna. He was also in the battles at Bucaso and Fuentes D’Noro. He was wounded at the latter and pensioned out of the army and returned to his home in Scotland. He lived to be one of the oldest pensioners in the British army and his descendants are scattered all over Britain, the USA, Australia and Canada. Your web site has added greatly to my research. Thank you.
Grace Malloy
617 Lansdowne Ave.,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R2W 0H8
Dorothy Bell · 16 October 2001
My G.G.G. Grandfather was Alexander Rollo and he is reported to have carried the lantern at the burial of Sir John Moore. So this poem is of special interest to me. Alexander is buried in the Tynemouth Priory graveyard. I am searching into my family history and would love to know more about Alexander and his brave deed.
DBell
J Wheater · 4 February 2002
A little more background:
Moore’s dying was long and painful. He had received a cannon ball in the chest, and endured it all with great courage. Not long before the wound he had reprimanded a soldier similarly stricken, saying “Come, we must bear these things better”, and indeed he followed his own precept.
You can still see his tomb, in the English Garden in Corunna (la Coruna to the Spanish). The tomb was put up by Soult (or Ney was it?) in Moore’s honour, so maybe he was not allowed to “sleep on in the grave where a Briton … laid him”.
See Carola Oman’s biography of this great soldier, and remember him on January 16th.
Terry Tustin · 8 April 2003
I saw You e-mail on a web page about Sir John Moore and wanted to let you Know that reverned Charles Moore was the father of Dr John Moore who in turn Is the Father of sir John Moore and 4 other sons and one daughter. One son became a Doctor another secrtary of state, one in the Navy and the last was bred to the bar. Sir John Moore is my GGGG Grandfather he was born in Glasgow Scotland his father Dr. John Moore was born in Stirling Scotland. The last to carry the name Moore in my Family was my Great Grandmother Gertie Moore Hart who took her mothers madien name as her middle name as is the way of the Scot’s.
Robin Herron · 7 September 2003
A brief note to say that English Heritage are holding an open day this Sunday 14th September at Tynemouth Priory and Castle where Rollo’s grave lies and it is hoped to repeat the period reconstruction relating to the burial as last year. Tynemouth Pageant Players will be providing a number of period characterisations illustrating the history of the site on Sunday.
It is understood that Denis Rollo a well known gunner is a descendant of Alexander Rollo and it would be helpful if anyone can provide a means of contacting him, last known of around Woolwich garrison HQ
Robin Herron
Candy Brenner · 2 March 2004
Grace, I’m researching my grandfather, Dr. John C. Moore, son of William B. Moore. John was a pharmacist who married Lenore Wood, daughter of ? and Bridget Wood of Saginaw Michigan. Lenore was born in Canada and I’ve found a Wm. B. Moore in Saginaw around 1900. John used the abbreviation Esq. in signing my mother’s birth certificate. What does that mean? After their marriage, Lenore and John lived in Cleveland, TN, where my mother was born in 1920. Any clues for you or me here? If so, contact me at .
Mark Barrett · 17 March 2004
I am 83 years old.
I also remember the poem “The Burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna” from schooldays. It is the first two lines of verse 2 which have particularly stayed in my mind. My recent interest has been aroused by reading again a little booklet which I have had in my possession for several years called “Borne To The Grave By Heroes” written by Major Frank A. O. Clark formerly of the Grenadier Guards. This is the life story of a William Martin Middleditch, a Regimental Sergeant Major of the First Foot Guards. The title reflects R.S.M. Middleditch’s wish, expressed at the time he knew his own death to be near, and I quote the words of Major Clark:- “The dying man made one of his last requests. He asked his friends, veterans of the great battle of Waterloo, to carry his body to his grave. He had been present at the burial of Sir John Moore who after being carried from the battlefield by the 9th of Foot (E. Norfolks) was carried by three Highlanders and three Guardsmen to his final resting place. William would have seen this and remembered. William’s dying wish was to be borne to his grave in the same manner.” R.S.M. Middleditch’s grave is in the Great Church Yard in Bury St. Edmund’s, Suffolk. I would be happy to share such knowledge as I have.
Douglas Barrett
R. Chris Rutt · 17 July 2004
I had been unaware of this deeply moving poem until I had the pleasure of visiting La Coruña last spring, and visited the tomb of Sir John, where this work is engraved on the memorial.
I can only say that it moved me deeply, and led to a developing a deeper interest in the Peninsular War (the War of Indepence as the spanish call it)..
Further research on Sir John Moore reveals a man far ahead of the political and military thinking of his time.
R. Chris Rutt
Alex Rollo · 20 December 2004
Hello Dorothy.
My name is Alexander Rollo and I live at South Shields. I’m a GGG grandson of Cpl.Alexander Rollo and I am also researching the Rollo Family History. I have had some success, especially when researching Alexander’s roots at Scotland. I am very interested in your family lineage and also how successful you have been.
My Linage from Cpl. Alexander —is— William—then— Alexander—then— James Outwin—then—Alfred Richard Johannesen—then myself Alexander.
I have some records tracing the family back to ca. 1707 and possibly to 1644.
GOODCHILDSETH · 21 March 2005
Where is Elvina where the actual battle took place? I am un able to find it on map or gazeteer.
Kenneth Light · 14 July 2005
Yes, take a look at he National Dictionary of Biography, p. 800, London 1903. Sir John’s brother Graham was in the Navy - commodore of the squadron that escorted the royal family of Portugal to Brazil, in 1807-08. If you are interested take a look at the site www.ihp.org.br which has a summary of the voyage - both in Port & in English, under my name Kenneth Light
Bob Le Vaillant · 13 September 2005
I’m using this as a title for a new novel. As an ex military man, it seems to sum up all that soldiering is about.
bekderiana1 · 21 December 2005
My mother made me aware of this incredibly moving poem when she passed on some family lore that an ancestor, Andrew Kerr, had been present at the burial of Sir John Moore. Andrew married a French woman, Katherine Joseph LeFevre–odd, since the French were the enemy at the time. We have traced the line back to the births of their children, but can find no earlier information. Does anyone have a clue how I can break through this wall?
Peter Buxton · 31 March 2006
Just discovered this web page and am tracing my family tree. Rumour has it we are related to Sir John Moore but it would really help if I could find out whether he had any children and if so their names and dates of birth, thanks.
Lyon Richard · 1 May 2006
According to our family records one of our ancestors Gilbert Lyon was the man-servant to Sir John More. Gilbert was born in 1758 in Glasgow. He studied law, married and started a family. One day when visiting a client in the Port of Glasgow in 1791 (or thereabout) he was press-ganged and ended up on HMS Winchelsea. In 1794 he was transferred to HMS Lively.
His wife and son WIlliam were unaware of what had hapened and assumed he was dead. His son travelled with an Uncle to Jamaica and lived there until about 1802. William ultimately inherited his Uncle’s estate. He returned to Scotland in 1802. Meanwhile his father had finally managed to contact the remaining family in Glasgow. William paid 20 pounds for the release of his father from the British Navy. Gilbert Lyon returned to Glasgow, but was not able to return to his career. Part of the reason was that he attempted to claim prize money for himself and other crew members from HMS Lively.
Apparently he was then employed by Sir John Moore as a man-servant and served in the Peninsular wars.
We have managed to verify all the details about Gilbert with the exception of his activities in the Peninsular wars?
JcHartey · 22 May 2006
Am I in touch with the gentleman who expressed interest in Sir John Moore? If you are a collector I may have an item for sale that may be of interest to you.
best regards
Jim
fdiaz · 1 August 2006
Elviña is now part of the city of La Coruña. I was born in La Coruña and have visited the grave in the Gardens of San Carlos many times.
There is also a British Cemetery in La Coruña, unfortunately not kept in a good condition.
Possibly other soldiers are buried there from the same time?
sandsbland · 5 September 2006
Hello
I saw your message on John Moore’s family when looking for background on his origins.
I wondered if you have any record of a female Moore named Robina in the family, or a Robin or Robert who may have held a post in the West Indies?
We are looking for family connections with Mary Moore b Barbados 1790s, who returned to London, lived in Bloomsbury London in 1820s married to a John Hodson and named her first daughter Mary Ann Robina Moore Hodson.
Is there any link with a William Clelland Moore in barbados in 1790s… or with archbishop John Moore, died Lambeth 1805.
If any of these names seem to link with John Moore’s family, I would be grateful if you could let me know.
Thank you,
S Bland
Robert B. Seely · 25 October 2006
To Terry Moore
re: your query regarding genealogy of Sir John Moore. We believe the actual spelling is ‘More’. My father’s middle name is ‘More’ since he was named after him. It has always been said in our family, that he was a paymaster in the British Army at Halifax, Nova Scotia, during the American Revolution which ended in 1783 with the influx of thousands of United Empire Loyalists to this area. One of these was James More, my gggggrandfather, the uncle of John. Knowing that his uncle was up the Saint John River in that part of Nova Scotia that became known as New Brunswick, he visited him on at least one occasion. He left a few things behind, including his shaving mug, which, remained in the family for some time. I would be interested to know if this is true, or just name-asociation folklore. Some family members dispute this story as there is no real evidence other than oral. If you ever find out the names of Sir John’s siblings, I would be interested to know if one was James. Please let me know of any info you have. Yours, Robert B Seely
Mike Rollo · 10 November 2006
Dear Dorothy
My name is Michael Rollo, Grandson of late John Norman William Rollo of Newcastle upon Tyne, captain of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers at Fenham barricks during the first world war. The poem is wonderfull. I wonder what relative if any I am to the Rollo in mention your GGG grand father Alexander Rollo. My wife and I emmigrated to Canada in 1967 first to Ontario and then to BC where we still live. We are both sixty years of age and having just retired I now have time to do a little research upon my family history.
Sincerely
Michael A Rollo
Bob Baxter · 25 December 2006
A small memorial garden in the old city ramparts now has a stone over Moore’s grave, with a black marble bust of the hero atop it. It is beautifully maintained by the city, whcih is obviously proud of the man and the asscoiation with him. If in the area, don’t miss it. In response to another query, Elvina is a village / suburb now, but the church which saw much of the fighting is still there. Most of the battlefield is mnow under the city suburbs.
ShadesOfDawn · 25 January 2007
surfing around looking for searches on family history, I came across the poem……… beautiful…… also I found out the following….
That Joseph Mills was my Great, Great, Great GrandFather……. and wanted to share the following excerpts that Ive just been given….
during this memorable engagement sir john moore fell, a cannon ball having nearly severd his left arm. he was carried from the battle in a balnket and corporal mills recieved orders to place a sentry over sir john moore’s door to prevent crowding of the populace
After taking part in several actions of less note , he served under Sir John Moore through that disastrous retreat to Coruuna which strewed the snow covered roads with bodies of 6.000 british troops and as many horsed and ended with the sanguinary battle they had to fight with pursuing french army who endeavoured to prevent them gaining their ships. The suffering of that desperate march. cold,fatigue, and hunger, produced effects which depressed mills through out his after life . He was corporal of the guard before the house to which his gallant leader sir john moore was brought to after being hit in the shoulder with the cannon shot
Carol Adkinson · 23 February 2007
I read you note on ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore’ and you are right - or at least, your version is the one I have always known. It is one of my favourite poems, and I also am sure it was ‘corse’ not ‘corpse’.
Carol - in Suffolk UK
Ralph Barnes · 6 July 2007
Hello Douglas.
I am trying to determine the children of RSM William Middleditch and his wife Mary
I have obtained a copy of the book borne to grave by heroes but although it mentions he had 8 children it gives no names.
My interest is that I am related to a William Middleditch abt 1785 that was an inn keeper in eastgate st Bury st Edmunds and who died before 1837 and had a wife Mary.
William Martin fits but I need to determine that he Had a son Frederick William born abt 1828
Ralph Barnes
Brendan Rice · 22 November 2007
I remember learning this poem at school seventy years ago. Last month[Oct 07] i paid a visit to Moor’s grave. Moore fought in the American war of independance and in 1798 he was in Ireland fighting against the united irishmen in Wexford. He refused to take part in the atrocities perpetrated against the Irish after the rebellion was put down. In this way Moore stood out from most other British commanders.
John Rice
Belfast
Jan Twentyman · 9 December 2007
Dear Terry ,
my ancestor Major Charles Jones .. I believe from Suffolk and of the 15th Hussars is an interesting character . this year in manchester library I read an article by A. A. Wainwright or Whitfield that Major Jones was standing By Sir John Moore at Sir John ‘ death . what do you think the likelihood is of this . I see from this site that Sir John was born in Scotland . I think I have my Jones family in Suffolk in 1800. There is an ancient family of Moore’s at Hart Lodge and Kentwell hall. my gggggreat grandfather Charles Jones’s was in the Battle of Waterloo , at Saraghun and Corunna. he was aide de camp to Ernest the king of Hanover . I would love to hear your thoughts. Maybe you have dates that will make a friendship impossible . kind regards ,
Jan Twentyman
Ralph Barnes · 14 December 2007
Hello Mark
I am researching the Family of RSM William Middleditch, he had no middle name Martin, and am in touch with Frank Clark.
Do you have any info that you feel may be useful.
I am by the way a direct descendant of William Middleditch
Ralph Barnes
Beauty Brains Brawn · 27 December 2007
Hi,
I have been researching the MOORE and would like to exchange info with you. You may contact me at the email above.
Thanks
Terry
Kevin Richardson · 24 February 2008
I AM RESEARCHING MY FAMILY HISTORY & ROLLO WAS ALSO A G G G G GARANDFATHER OF MINE I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW IF YOU FOUND ANYMORE INFO ON HIM IVE SEARCHED ALOT BUT KEEP COMING WITH ONLY THE BASICS I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFULL FOR ANY INFO X