SIR JOHN MOORE
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CION of a Glasgow doctor, Sir 0 John Moore is known almost literally to every schoolboy through the Reverend C. Wolfe's poem describing his burial at Corunna. His victory at Corunna concluded a wonderful rearguard action ; with 14,000 weary British troops he defeated a French army of 20,000 and made possible the safe embarkation of his men to fight again.
The Corunna campaign has parallels with the evacuations from Dunkirk and Greece in the present war. It should not be overlooked that it followed an astounding strategical stroke by which Moore had paralysed the French armies, and eventually saved Spain. In his earlier years Moore established his reputation in campaigns in the West Indies and Egypt.
Some authorities hold that his truest claim to fame is his appreciation of the importance of training to his troops, and the energy and skill with which he carried it out.