Morton Moyes
Encyclopedia
Morton Henry Moyes OBE
(29 June 1886 – 20 September 1981) was an Australian Antarctic explorer and naval officer.
Moyes was born at Koolunga
to headmaster John Moyes and Ellen Jane, née Stoward. Two of his brothers were John, who became an Anglican bishop, and Alban George (Johnnie)
, a cricketer. Morton attended the Collegiate School of St Peter in Adelaide and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
in physics and mathematics from the University of Adelaide
in 1910, having represented South Australia in athletic championships. His geology lecturer, Douglas Mawson
, had a profound impact on him and he successfully applied to join Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition
in 1911 as meteorologist for Frank Wild
's western base. In November 1912, Wild's group left on a sledging trip with Moyes remaining at the hut; the trip ended up taking nine weeks when the sled was lost.
Moyes returned to Australia in March 1913 as headmaster of University Coaching College in Sydney
. In February 1914 he was recruited as naval instructor for the new Royal Australian Naval College, moving from mathematics to navigation in 1915. In January 1916 he was promoted senior naval instructor and was navigating officer of Captain John King Davis
's ship the Aurora
on its December rescue mission for members of Ernest Shackleton
's Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Moyes twice attempted to leave the naval college in order to enlist but was refused; in October 1918, when his resignation was finally accepted, the war was all but over. He married Miriam Esther King at St James' Church in Sydney on 11 January 1919. Moyes returned to the navy as an instructor lieutenant with seniority; he was promoted instructor lieutenant-commander in 1920 and commander in 1924.
Mawson requested Moyes for the British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition
in September 1929, although Davis felt he lacked the training for a ship's officer and he became survey officer. Moyes did not undertake the second expedition in November 1930 but instead returned to the navy. He was fleet instructor officer aboard for six years before becoming the navy's first (acting) instructor captain in June 1941. He was the first director of educational and vocational training at Navy College, Melbourne, being appointed in November 1943 (his age and seniority precluded him from undertaking active sea service). He left the navy in 1946 and became chief rehabilitation officer for the Commonwealth, retiring in 1951.
Moyes, who was president of the Geographical Society of New South Wales from 1933 to 1935, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 and in his retirement published memoirs of his Antarctic travels. He died in Sydney in 1981 and was cremated at Roseville
. Several Antarctic geographical features, including Moyes Peak
and the Moyes Islands
, are named for him.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(29 June 1886 – 20 September 1981) was an Australian Antarctic explorer and naval officer.
Moyes was born at Koolunga
Koolunga, South Australia
Koolunga is a town in the Mid North of South Australia. According to the 2006 Australian Census, the population for the town and surrounding area is 204. It is 13 km east of Redhill.-History:...
to headmaster John Moyes and Ellen Jane, née Stoward. Two of his brothers were John, who became an Anglican bishop, and Alban George (Johnnie)
Johnnie Moyes
Alban George "Johnny" Moyes MBE MC was a cricketer who played for South Australia and Victoria. Following his brief playing career, Moyes, a professional journalist, he later gained greater fame as a writer and commentator on the game.As a right-hand batsman Moyes scored 883 runs at an average of...
, a cricketer. Morton attended the Collegiate School of St Peter in Adelaide and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in physics and mathematics from the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
in 1910, having represented South Australia in athletic championships. His geology lecturer, Douglas Mawson
Douglas Mawson
Sir Douglas Mawson, OBE, FRS, FAA was an Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer and Academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, Mawson was a key expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.-Early work:He was appointed geologist to an...
, had a profound impact on him and he successfully applied to join Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition
Australasian Antarctic Expedition
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition was an Australasian scientific team that explored part of Antarctica between 1911 and 1914. It was led by the Australian geologist Douglas Mawson, who was knighted for his achievements in leading the expedition. In 1910 he began to plan an expedition to chart...
in 1911 as meteorologist for Frank Wild
Frank Wild
Commander John Robert Francis Wild CBE, RNVR, FRGS , known as Frank Wild, was an explorer...
's western base. In November 1912, Wild's group left on a sledging trip with Moyes remaining at the hut; the trip ended up taking nine weeks when the sled was lost.
Moyes returned to Australia in March 1913 as headmaster of University Coaching College in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. In February 1914 he was recruited as naval instructor for the new Royal Australian Naval College, moving from mathematics to navigation in 1915. In January 1916 he was promoted senior naval instructor and was navigating officer of Captain John King Davis
John King Davis
John King Davis, CBE was an English-born Australian explorer and navigator notable for his work captaining exploration ships in Antarctic waters as well as for establishing meteorological stations on Macquarie Island in the subantarctic and on Willis Island in the Coral Sea.-Early life:Davis's...
's ship the Aurora
Aurora (ship)
SY Aurora was a steam yacht built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd. shipbuilders in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1876, for the Dundee Seal and Whale Fishing Company. Her primary use was whaling in the northern seas, and she was built sturdily enough to withstand the heavy weather and ice that would be...
on its December rescue mission for members of Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, CVO, OBE was a notable explorer from County Kildare, Ireland, who was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration...
's Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Moyes twice attempted to leave the naval college in order to enlist but was refused; in October 1918, when his resignation was finally accepted, the war was all but over. He married Miriam Esther King at St James' Church in Sydney on 11 January 1919. Moyes returned to the navy as an instructor lieutenant with seniority; he was promoted instructor lieutenant-commander in 1920 and commander in 1924.
Mawson requested Moyes for the British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition
British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition
The British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition was a research expedition into Antarctica between 1929 and 1931, involving two voyages over consecutive Austral summers...
in September 1929, although Davis felt he lacked the training for a ship's officer and he became survey officer. Moyes did not undertake the second expedition in November 1930 but instead returned to the navy. He was fleet instructor officer aboard for six years before becoming the navy's first (acting) instructor captain in June 1941. He was the first director of educational and vocational training at Navy College, Melbourne, being appointed in November 1943 (his age and seniority precluded him from undertaking active sea service). He left the navy in 1946 and became chief rehabilitation officer for the Commonwealth, retiring in 1951.
Moyes, who was president of the Geographical Society of New South Wales from 1933 to 1935, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 and in his retirement published memoirs of his Antarctic travels. He died in Sydney in 1981 and was cremated at Roseville
Roseville, New South Wales
Roseville is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Roseville is located north-west of the Sydney central business district and sits across the local government areas of Ku-ring-gai and Willoughby...
. Several Antarctic geographical features, including Moyes Peak
Moyes Peak
Moyes Peak is a small rock peak projecting slightly above the ice sheet 2 nautical miles north of Pearce Peak, 12 nautical miles southwest of Falla Bluff. Discovered in February 1931 by the British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition under Mawson, and named by him for Commander...
and the Moyes Islands
Moyes Islands
Moyes Islands is a group of small islands lying in the west part of Watt Bay, 2.5 nautical miles southeast of Cape-Pigeon Rocks. Discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition under Douglas Mawson, who named them for Morton H. Moyes who served as meteorologist with the expedition....
, are named for him.