Fonds SC615 - Charles Moore fonds

Born in Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire in 1921, Charles Arthur Moore was a veteran and musician in the English Royal Marines and the Royal Canadian Navy. At the age of 14 he enlisted in the Royal Marine School of Music, where he received formal music education and served as band instrumentalist (cornet and french horn), instructor, teacher of musical theory, and Bandmaster aboard the HMS Excellent. After serving through World War II, he married Violet Amy (Burgess) Moore in August 1945 and their first child was born in 1951.

Moore ultimately terminated his engagement ranked B/Sergeant in 1953, whereupon he immigrated with his family to Victoria, B.C. and entered the Royal Canadian Navy. Their second child was born in 1956. Moore again served as instrumental instructor, teacher of music theory, and Training Chief in the Canadian Forces School of Music located in Esquimalt, B.C. He was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 1961 and served as Chief Librarian from 1962 until his retirement from the Forces in 1971.

Moore was employed in several orchestras throughout his career: Sino/British Orchestra in Hong Kong (1947-1948), Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestra (1949-1950), Less Cliff Orchestra in Folkstone (1950-1952), Victoria Symphony Orchestra (1954-1970), and as Organist and choir-master in Victoria's St. Michael's Church (1956-1958). During his time with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Moore also acted as Orchestra steward, served as Assistant Conductor and Personnel Manager, and sat on the Board of Directors of the Victoria Symphony Society.

In his personal life, Moore was active in Christian organizations and taught swimming lessons to disabled children as a member of the parents group at Victor School in Victoria. He was a gold medalist in ballroom dancing and holder of the British Columbia Novice Championship in 1968 and 1970. His other hobbies included painting, drawing, fishing, and Hi-Fi enthusiasm. He passed away in 1994.