Private Patrick Joseph Moran
Patrick Joseph Moran was born on 10 December 1899 at Blossom Hill, near Kilmacow, Kilkenny, the fourth of five children of labourer Thomas Moran and his wife Margaret (née Quinn). His father died when he was young, and by the time of the 1911 Census he and his two brothers were boarding as pupils at St Joseph's Industrial School at Ferryhouse, Clonmel, Tipperary.
By 1917 Moran was working as a labourer for Messrs P. Quinn and Co (possibly his uncle) and living with his mother at 6 Arundel Square, Waterford. On 9 March that year he enlisted in the cavalry at Waterford. Five days later he was posted to the 1st Reserve Cavalry Regiment at the Curragh. There he wa issued regimental number GS/24408 and posted to the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers.
On 3 July 1917 Moran was transferred to the North Irish Horse (No.2601). His time with the regiment was not long, however, for on 30 August he was transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles (No.20185) and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. Later that year he was posted to the 6th (Service) Battalion, joining it in Egypt, having embarking from the UK on 29 November.
On 27 February 1918 he was tried by Field General Court Martial at Alexandria for 'making a false accusation against a soldier'. He was sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment with hard labour, this later being remitted to 3 months' Field Punishment No.1.
When 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles was disbanded on 15 May 1918 Moran was transferred to the Connaught Rangers (No.29803) and posted to the 1st Battalion. He remained with that regiment in the Middle East until 8 December 1919 when, having fallen ill, he embarked on a hospital ship for home.
On 3 February 1920 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. His military character was recorded as 'fair'.
Soon after his discharge Moran was living at 21 Ballybricken Hill, Waterford.