This memorial page is dedicated to Peter Reilly Moran, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Peter Reilly Moran

Name: Moran
First names: Peter Reilly
Nickname: Reilly
Date of birth: 4 July 1923
Place of birth: North Leith, Edinburgh
Residence: 153 Lochend Gardens, Edinburgh
Rank / Occupation: Private
Identity tag: 14226389
Unit: Royal Scots, 8th Bn.
Date of death: 2 November 1944
Place of death: Neerkant
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Nederweert War Cemetery
Memorial site: –

 

Additional information

Grave location: II. D. 10.

Aged 21. Son of John Francis Moran and Margaret Ann Moran, of Edinburgh.

Peter Moran’s field grave was situated near Moostdijk No. 153 in Neerkant.

The War Diary of the 8th Battalion Royal Scots states that on 2 November 1944, at approximately 09:30, the battalion had left its headquarters and was heading towards the F.U.P. (Forming Up Point) for an attack on the Moostdijk. During this battalion movement, the lead vehicle, a Universal Carrier (Bren Gun Carrier, a lightly armoured tracked vehicle), drove over a Riegel mine (anti-tank mine). The ensuing explosion resulted in two fatalities, both Signallers (signalmen in a signals unit); there were also four other casualties, including an OC (Officer Commanding | commander of the Universal Carrier) and three OR (Other Rank). It is possible that Peter Reilly Moran and Arthur Hope were the two fatalities in this incident.

Unfortunately, no further information was found until I received a photograph from Jeanette Parker-Russell, daughter of William C. Russell, who was a friend of Arthur Hope and was, in all likelihood, injured in this accident.

Peter Moran with his girlfriend (her name is as yet unknown)
Peter Moran met zijn vriendin (haar naam is vooralsnog onbekend)

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action