TOPIC:

He was born in the Nantwich registration district, Cheshire, in the third quarter of 1875, and died at Watford, March 1938. Married Bertha Evelyn Bean, December 1922, at Wareham, Dorset.
. .
News of Lieut. Moorsome,
....whose parents live in Queen's-road [Southport], was contained in the "Daily Mail" of Tuesday, in the following despatch from Mahon's Relief Column:—"The column remained at Vryburg during the heat of the day, taking advantage to rest the animals and overhaul and rearrange the transport. It started at five o'clock in the cool of last evening, and made record marching without water or outspan for 21 miles. It then slept from two till dawn, arriving here at breakfast time. Lieutenant Moorsome, of the Protectorate Regiment, has arrived from Mafeking to join the column. He went first to Plumer, and then, making a wide western circuit, got through the Boers with many hair-breadth escapes, reaching Vryburg exhausted but safe, after a daring ride of nearly 300 miles." The "Westminster Gazette" adds in a note:—"It will be remembered that Lieutenant Moorsome distinguished himself by leaving Plumer's camp near Ootsi and getting through the Boer lines into Mafeking, carrying despatches and returning with others to Colonel Plumer." Lieutenant Moorsome has been on duty in Mafeking from the beginning of the siege until the night of April 28, when he was sent on to Colonel Plumer's camp. He has probably been employed to carry instructions from Colonel Baden-Powell to Colonel Plumer and Colonel Mahon.
Southport Visiter, Saturday 26th May 1900

He received the clasp for the Defence of Mafeking.

Born in Crewe, Cheshire, England, 20 June 1875, son of Warren Maude Moorsom (1840-1920). Educated at Dulwich College in 1891. Joined the 3rd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment (Second Lieutenant), 19 August 1893. Lieutenant 1 August 1894. Enlisted in B Troop MMP (Trooper) and served in the Matabele Rebellion 1896. Discharged at own request 6 October 1896; Enlisted in the PRFF and posted to A Squadron. MID. Served in the Royal Artillery. Land Surveyor, Colonial Office. He married Bertha Evelyn Bean in December 1922 in Wareham, Dorset. He died in Watford, Hertfordshire, 21 January 1938.

The Mafeking Town Clerk, John Algie, wrote in his diary on 29 April 1900 says:

Lieut Moorson is said to have got through last evening. He went out on private business, mounted, with a native runner. First, however, he promised to deliver some messages for the Colonel to Colonel Plumer.

He was host of the Bachelor Officers' Ball in February 1900 as reported in the Mafeking Mail.

He had one of those unfortunate surnames that can have several alternate spellings, making research difficult.

Indeed

Algie is guilty of that as his diary of 20 January 1900 shows:

Lt Moorsoom, who is in charge with about twenty man of the Protectorate Regiment, having obtained the permission of Major Godley (Officer Commanding the western heights) took out six men soon after midnight and got to within 200 yards of the Boer trench. Leaving his men, he then reconnoltered himself, when he unexpectedly tumbled across two Boer sentries just about thirty yards from their trench. They were, as he was very soared, they beat a hasty retreat firing a couple of shots. Lt Moorsoom then slipped back to his men and gave them the order to fire three volleys. This they did and then he shouted to his men 'Are you ready? Get ready. Fix bayonets. Charge'. But as a matter of fact his men had, in accordance with his instructions, left their Bayonets at home and understood the order. They knew it was only Intended to give the Boers a "shriek", and it did. They became fearfully scared and fired wildly for ten minutes. All the while our men laid low, having shifted their position to the left a little the Enemy's bullets going far too high. Then when the Enemy's fire lagged Lieut Moorsoom gave the order to fire six more volleys. After doing this our men carefully got back to their Fort delighted with the scare they had given the Enemy.