Freed hostage Peter Moore speaks out about his ordeal
Freed Iraq hostage Peter Moore has revealed how he planned to focus on memories of his childhood in Lincoln when he faced death at the hands of his captors.
Mr Moore, an IT consultant who grew up in the Brant Road area of the city, was kidnapped at gunpoint in Baghdad in May 2007 and only released two and a half years later.
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Former Iraq hostage Peter Moore.
He spoke to the Echo last week on the understanding that nothing would be published until today.
He said that during his time in captivity his feet were burned with a cigarette lighter, he was strangled until he blacked out, hung by his arms on a door, doused in water, pistol whipped and put through a series of mock executions.
Mr Moore also endured being blindfolded, handcuffed and chained up by an ankle during his incarceration.
He suffered severe dysentery and was kept alone for much of his ordeal.
"I remember thinking that when I was going to be executed what I would do is think about when I was a boy walking my dog Timmy along the back of Hollywell Road," said Mr Moore, a former pupil of Sir Francis Hill Primary, in Lincoln, and North Kesteven School, in North Hykeham.
"I thought it would be a nice thought to take to my death with me. They took me out of my room and put a gun to my head and I started shaking.
"Then I was back in the room and still alive. I thought 'damn – I forgot to think about walking the dog'."
The bodies of three of Mr Moore's bodyguards – Alec MacLachlan, 30, from Llanelli, South Wales, Jason Swindlehurst, 38, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and Jason Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow – were released to UK authorities last year.
The fourth bodyguard, Alan McMenemy, 34, from Glasgow, is believed dead but his body has never been found.
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by Cityimp, Baghdad
Monday, March 15 2010, 3:59PM
“Pete lets set a couple of things straight while you enjoy the safety of your 9-5. People like myself and Peter work in these environments for many different reasons. Yes they are financially rewarding but we also carry out the work because if we didn't the very thing our Lads fought and died for would be lost in a blink of an eye. You have NO idea what Peters Job involved and he was contributing to something you obviously would not understand and if you did, you would not have made your idiotic statement. Like I said My line of work can be financially rewarding and rightly so and of course we know there is a big risk. But we also help keep the lives of People like Peter safe so they in turn can make lives of others better and safer. And that Pete includes yours!!!! Glad your back home Peter and hope your recovering well. RIP the 4 boys that did not make it back.”
by A Henry, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 3:30PM
“I've met the Step Mother. Frying pan in to the fire comes to mind!”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 3:00PM
“"Totally different situation with the troops thier motivation is not money they sign up to serve our country not themselves"
Presumably that means they'd do it for free then yes?”
by MrsB, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 1:34PM
“You wouldn't wish this on anyone, makes my stomach turn people treating others like that...
But have to agree slightly with Peter and Pete... Why would you go out there and put yourself in that danger.. I wouldn't go and put my life at risk.. but then the money is really good.. if you are able to make it back!
Our Troops go out to serve our country.. they are highly respected!”
by Peter, lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:38PM
“Totally different situation with the troops thier motivation is not money they sign up to serve our country not themselves”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 11:54AM
“There's always one isn't there Pete. Presumably all our troops deserve what they get too eh?
I wish Mr Moore all the best for the future and hope that he can put this horrific ordeal behind him.”
by Pete Longue, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 11:44AM
“Oh come on, he knew the risks when he went there. His motivation for doing so would have been money. OK no-one deserves to go through that but it was partly caused by his own actions i.e. taking work in a ultra hostile environment”
by julie in oz, Western Australia
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:32AM
“Well done Peter for getting through such a nightmare. I wish you all the luck in the world.”
by lynn, lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:11AM
“I find it incomprehensible that human beings (if that's what they can be termed) can act like animals towards their fellow man.
I'm sure if Peter could turn back the clock he wouldn't have stepped foot in Baghdad. I hope he recovers from his ordeal without too many mental or physical scars, but I suspect it's easier said then done. I hope you are able to pick up the threads of a normal life Peter. Good luck for the future.”
by s. steele, washingborough
Monday, March 15 2010, 8:53AM
“My heart is feeling for what you went through, that is just such awful treatment. My mind wonders how any human can be treated this way is dispicable. You must have the strength courage of a saint to come tell your story. You should write a book. Hope you can have strength to carry on life as normal as possible. All the best for the future.”