Because of Henry William Murray’s connection to the family, I have included this on the Web Site.

I believe this story should be told to all Australian’s, not just the Lucas –Gascoigne descendants. It is a story of incredible courage, and I have included it on the site because I know there are many family members who have wanted to learn of “Harry”.

Lieutenant – Colonel Henry William Murray, VC., CMG., DSO and Bar, DCM., Croix De Guerre.

Henry William Murray, or Harry as he was more commonly called was born at “Clairville”, near Evandale on 1st December 1880. He was the eighth of nine children born to Edward Kennedy Murray and his wife Clarissa, nee Littler. Harry was baptised on 23rd November 1885 and often used a combination of these dates as his birthday.

Harry’s great-grandfather, Kennedy Murray (1), was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland, September 1786, of stealing, and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He arrived in Port Jackson on the “Pitt” in February 1792. In 1796 he was sent to Norfolk Island, arriving there 1st October 1796.

Ann White, Harry’s great-grandmother, had been convicted at the Old Bailey in October 1789 and sentenced to seven years transportation. She arrived at Port Jackson on the Second Fleet ship “Neptune”, 11th November 1791. Her first marriage was to a seaman named John Scott. A child of Ann and John Scott died at Port Jackson. John Scott and Ann White settled on Norfolk Island but he left the island on the “Asia” in 1795, leaving Ann there. Ann met Kennedy Murray, and two children were born of this union, Kennedy (2), born 4th August 1799 and Elizabeth, born 20th March 1802. (Elizabeth married James Lucas the 8th child of Nathaniel and Olivia.)

Kennedy (1) Murray’s sentence expired on 1st January 1802, and he left the island 23rd April 1802, a month after the birth of Elizabeth. He settled at “Evan on the Nepean River” (Penrith was originally called Evan), where he was granted 30 acres of land on 25th November 1809 (Grant No 1731).

He married Ann Parker (a convict who arrived on the “Glatton” on the 17th March 1803) on the 14th March 1814. Three children, William 1815, Henry 1816, and James 1819 were born at Pitt Town, near Windsor, New South Wales.

Ann White and her children did not leave Norfolk Island at this time, but remained there and lived with Richard Sydes, who was a black-smith and later an overseer of stock. He had arrived on the convict ship “Ganges” in 1801. Three children were born to the family on Norfolk Island. The family sailed from Norfolk Island on the “Lady Nelson”, 20th January 1813. At that time the family consisted of: Richard Sydes, Ann White, Kennedy White/Sydes, Elizabeth White/Sydes, Mary White/Sydes, John White/Sydes, and Thomas White/Sydes. Mary Ann was born 1804, Ann born 1806, and Thomas born 1811. Thomas Sydes was baptised on 24th March 1814 at St. John’s Church, Launceston. Ann Sydes was baptised on the same day.

Kennedy Murray (2) was almost 14 years old when he arrived in Van Diemen’s Land. What happened during the next five years is now hard to discover, but young Kennedy Murray received several grants of land at Evandale, and built a house which he named “Prosperous”, (known as Fallgrove). He married twice, became District Constable, and a respected citizen in the district of Morven. The eldest son of his second marriage was Edward Kennedy Murray, father of Harry. Edward was a farmer and soon moved his family to “Woodstock”, near Evandale.

Harry attended school at Evandale until he was thirteen or fourteen, and even at that age he was a dare-devil, and a tremendous tease. The children used to walk to school every day and Harry loved to walk along the top rail of the bridge instead of on the bridge itself. This terrified his sisters, but he continued to do it just to tease them. If he had fallen, he would have ended up in the river.

After gaining the education he could, he started work on his father’s farm. He was a typical farm boy, and enjoyed going possum shooting with his elder brothers. For the rest of his life, Harry resented the fact that his elder brothers had received a good education at Grammar School, but his father forced him to leave school early to help on the farm. The family later moved to “Northcote”, near St. Leonard’s, where Edward Kennedy Murray later died.

Harry joined the Australian Field Artillery Militia in Launceston in 1902 and served until 1908. (Major Harrap, Commander). He gained valuable experience which was later to stand him in good stead.

Western Australia.

About 1909/10, Harry decided that there was no future in Tasmania and left for West Australia where he worked for his brother Charles Stewart Murray on a property named “Comet Vale”. Another brother, Albert Edward Murray was also in West Australia.

After a while, he became dissatisfied earning only his keep and clothes, and branched out on his own. He worked as mail delivery contractor and often “carried gold for 210 miles along a lonely camel pad on a push-bike, blacks were hostile, and some bad lads with white hides about”. He travelled the track fortnightly and everyone knew what he carried. He occasionally let loungers see what he could do with the 32 carbine he always carried. Later he set up as a timber cutter, employing several men to supply timber for the railways.

Blackboy Camp.

Harry enlisted for service in World War 1 on the 30th September 1914, and was sent to Blackboy Camp, Bellevue, Perth, Western Australia. Captain Joseph P Kenney, A.A.M.C. examined him the same day. His description at that time reads as follows.

Age:		30 years 9 months.
(His actual age was 34 years 9 months. It is possible that he would not have been accepted at the age of 34).
Height:		5 feet 8 ½  inches
Weight:		10 stone 12 lbs.
Chest measurement:		36 inches
Complexion:		Fair.
Eyes:		Green-grey.
Hair:		Dark-brown.
Religion:		Congregational.
Distinctive marks:		Linear scar 3 inches on front of right thigh.

He took the oath of allegiance on 13th October 1914 at Blackboy Hill, West Australia before Captain F.B. Carter, Attesting Officer.
As it happened, from the first, he (Murray) wanted to join the machine gun section but when the men were allotted he was overlooked, and sent to the company formed of the men from the south-west. After parade that day, he presented himself at the tent of the staff sergeant-major, who was the instructor to the machine gun section, and earnestly begged to be allotted to that section. He was a happy man when told to take his kit down to the section’s tents.

On the 20th October, 1914, he was appointed to “D” Coy., one of the unit’s two machine gun crews. Colonel Tilney spent a good deal of his time in the machine-gun lines and there met both Percy Black and Harry Murray. The Colonel was later to meet Murray again, and play an important part in his advancement.

Captain Cyril Longmore was instructor at Blackboy Camp when both Black and Murray joined up. Longmore wrote, “Percy was chosen for his strength, steadiness and reliability; Harry because he had a wonderful eye for ground, was quick in mind and body; and was keen as mustard, such a tiny unit as that original gun section should include two men who were to do so much to create the traditions of the AIF.

I was a staff instructor for several years, and handled many machine gun squads, of which I was proud, but from no other could I get snap and precision that I got from that little section. At gun work they were on their own, and before the teams were six weeks old they had broken records. “Action” with a Maximum in 12 ½  seconds is slick work. The best trio in the section could do it in that time – twice out of every three attempts, and any three men picked haphazardly from the section could do it in 16. Those figures are not approximate they are correct. Standard time in the manual was 45 seconds.

In 1918 Murray wrote. “The material of the section may have been good but any success that the members have achieved I attribute more than anything to the splendid training we had in W.A.”. Murray was Black’s No. 2, and the two became firm friends. After basic training, the 16th Battalion, “D” Company was transported to Melbourne where they embarked on the Troopship A 40, “Ceramic”, on the 22nd December 1914.

Private Henry Willliam Murray, No. 315 was single. His next of kin was listed as Mrs Clarissa Murray, mother, 33 Erina Street, Launceston. Harry’s rate of pay was 5/- per day, excluding deferred pay. He elected to leave 4/- of that in Australia, so only received “the King’s shilling” while overseas. Daily rate of deferred pay, only issuable on completion of service with the Expeditionary Force was 1/-.

Gallipoli.

This is the way H.W. Murray described Gallipoli.

Gallipoli: one of the Empire’s most glorious failures. Days of intensive, ferocious fighting, followed by nights of fitful, broken slumber, short dozes, sudden violent awakenings, then the morning, when from shallow trenches we faced the Turkish infantry – the most wonderful long-distance marksmen in the world – alert for the least movement. In place of the mercilessly accurate artillery preparation of the Germans in France, we here confronted the machine-gun and rifle fire of the Turks, and in the years that followed I saw nothing so deadly.

The almost complete absence of adequate artillery on both sides made defence infinitely stronger than attack, and, when it is remembered the Turks had all the advantages conferred by carefully selected and prepared positions, the wonder is, not that we failed, but that we managed to secure a footing at all and hold on as long as we did. It was unquestionably one of the greatest feats of the war.

On 25th April 1915, Private Murray, aged 35 years and almost 5 months, landed on Gallipoli.

Regarding that first battle, Harry wrote, “I am cursed with a vivid imagination, and before going into battle I went through it all, had blood brains, “innards”, limbs etc., spattered all over me, and I fought my fight with self then, fixed my code, and it only remained to prove it. The real thing being less terrible than pictured, and an intense curiosity as to how I would react, got me through. The dominating factor was curiosity.

“You see, I was a trained soldier, I put in 6 years as a youngster in the Launceston Artillery, a very strict standard of discipline and effectiveness was the code there, and I held my own. I was reckoned amongst crack field shots, to be a good rifle shot, and while not being carried away with self confidence, I knew the man I got a fair shot at was not likely to trouble me further. I knew my machine gun and liked it. Often during live shell practice, in the old L.A., I was the observer, and I knew what a bursting shell was like close to me, and just about how near one could be with safety, also I saw how little result half a days shelling by our warships had produced. I knew the percentage of direct hits by shell fire – either frontal, oblique, or enfilade.

Harry also wrote, “Please don’t run away with the idea that I was anyway heroic. I was, thanks to my mother, just a fair Australian, with sufficient will-power to go through with what I set out to do, and too much racial pride to give way to an enemy of another race.”

“Percy Black was a close friend, and before we landed, he and I in a quiet talk, resolved and then gave each other a vow, that we would never let the enemy prevent us carrying out what we set out to do. Really, that we would never take an order from him, the enemy, and he lived right up to his vow. My one wish before I landed was that I would never have to kill a man. That went at the sight of our dead and wounded.”

“My attitude as a soldier was always, ”ours not to reason why” If our Higher Command issued an order it was our duty to carry it out faithfully, completely, and efficiently as we could.” Both Harry and his friend Black were slightly wounded during those first few days. Harry said, “because of my slight wound, my sergeant would not let me do much.”

Harry was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on Gallipoli Peninsular on the 13th May 1915. He claimed that he had deliberately studied the best part of a man to aim at in a hurry, this is the middle of his tummy, and the study saved his life twice oat Gallipoli. “The silly old Turks shooting at my head, which place I find the natural point of attack by most men, and the easiest guarded and missed, one coot did cut my chin strap, and tip my ear, that was the closest one ever got in single combat.”

“Often we went hungry at Gallipoli – not through lack of food, but from inability to eat the fare which was provided, such as hard biscuits and inferior cheese. Even now I recall with horror, the sticky mess of a huge cheese, melting on the hillside, into a long streak, almost to the valley below. Our foraging expeditions in the early hours – between 2 am and 4 am – for a ham or a tin of soft biscuits, or anything else that offered a change from monotonous and unappetising food, often enabled ‘high living’ for a day or two afterwards for the machine gunners of the 16th Battalion – a unit with which I was then associated.

Several times, to get past the sentries on the beach, one of us would impersonate an officer, another his batman, and we would then have a free rein on the inner forage dumps, which were comparatively unguarded. Two of us from below, would tie our booty to a rope, which would then be hauled up by our own mates at the top of the cliff. My only hope is that no person, wounded, sick or more deserving than ourselves, went hungry or thirsty as a result of our forays.”

Murray was wounded in the right knee on 30th May and was transferred to the “Franconia”, and thence the 15th General Hospital for treatment. 31st May, 1915.

For his actions Harry was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Of this particular incident, harry wrote. “And now my turn came when a shrapnel bullet pierced my knee. Mates carried me to the beach. I got sea-sick in the rowing boat that took me to the carrier. At Mudros, I was put on the "Franconia”, along with 1850 others, most of them more badly wounded than I was. We had only seven doctors on board, going night and day trying to save life on the operating table. Slight wounds had perforce to go unattended. I lost all count of days on the voyage, but will never forget the “chats” in their millions on my blanket. All I could do was to turn it every hour and try to keep them on top. Finally Egypt and hospital; all clean at last.”

On the 25th June 1915, Harry was discharged from hospital and sent to Mustapha to convalesce. He embarked at Alexandria and rejoined his unit on 3rd July 1915.

Harry was wounded again on the 8th august 1915, but this time remained on duty. Harry wrote, “Of that attack, during the darkness, I saw little. As the advance went on the machine-guns were close to the fighting, but did not actually participate in it. At daybreak we found ourselves at the foot of a small hill, on top of which was a sunken road held by about 60 Turks. Our units had become somewhat mixed during the night, and in the charge to root the Turks I first saw the Gurka in action.

Five or six of them joined in the assault on the hill. The Turks stood their ground well, and bayonets were used. The bayonet of an Australian became entangled in a Turk, and while he was trying to free it , another Turk charged him. For a moment it looked as if our four fellows would be certainly ‘skewered’, when suddenly I saw the charging Turk’s head fly off. A Gurka, from behind our man, had thrown his Kukri with deadly aim. By this time the few remaining Turks had bolted. The Australian thanked the Gurka for having saved his life. The Gurka, however, merely smiled, picked up his weapon, wiped it on the dead Turk’s uniform, and strolled off.

About this time, one of our chaps got the shock of his life. It was a hot afternoon, and some skirmishing was going on. Suddenly he let out a yell as he received a bang in the side from a rifle bullet, and felt a hot stream running down his leg. He turned and rushed down the hill to the dressing station. Dropping on a stretcher there, he called to the doctor, “I’m done! I’m bleeding to death! I can feel the blood pouring from my side.” The doctor made a hurried examination, and then said, “My dear fellow, you’ve been shot through your water bottle! The stream you feel is nothing but water escaping from the bottle.” Much relieved, the soldier jumped to his feet and went back to his job.”

His machine-gun section ‘possible the finest unit in the AIF’ covered the withdrawal after the attack on Hill 971. Harry was later classified as temporarily unfit for further service and was to be returned to Australia to recuperate. Obviously he didn’t go. Four days later, 13th August 1915, he was transferred from the 16th Battalion to the 13th Battalion at Gallipoli.

The historian of the 16th Battalion wrote, “To Murray belongs the honour of rising from a machine-gun private to the command of a machine-gun battalion of 64 guns, and of receiving more fighting decorations than any other infantry soldier in the British Army in the Great War.”

Harry was promoted to Sergeant on the 13th August 1915.

At Gallipoli, when casualties had deprived the 29th British division of most of it’s officers, invitations were extended to non-coms in the AIF to apply for commissions in that famous division. Murray was among the number who sent in their names, and there was great consternation among the comrades when they heard that his transfer  had been recommended.

Colonel Tilney, who had taken over the command of the 13th Battalion, shared in this anxiety, and he at once saw the Brigadier (General Monash), told him that his machine-gun officer had been knocked out the night previous, and requested that Murray be commissioned in his stead. This the brigadier sanctioned, and Murray walked into the 13th Battalion lines the following morning as a fully-fledged machine-gun officer.

On the same day as being promoted to Sergeant, Harry was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

Harry was something of a student of military history, having studied Bellasarius and Napoleon, and the old British code of an officer, and when put in charge of men, had no misconception of his duty.

“Harry Murray was known as ‘Mad Harry’, but there was a considerable method in his madness. No officer took more care to avoid losing men, and he took astonishing risks when personally reconnoitring, with the sole object of saving his men. A quick thinker in times of danger, he displayed extraordinary energy, resolution and courage.”

In September 1915, Harry had a severe attack of dysentery and was sent to hospital in Alexandria, and later transferred to Mudros.

In a letter to his sister Annie, Harry showed that he was still a Tasmanian at heart. He said:-

“Just a few lines in a hurry as you will doubtless know that I have been sent from the front sick. I’m not at all very ill, although I had dysentery for nearly three weeks before I left Gallipoli. I had just about got tired of it when I left. More than anything I require a rest and change, both of climate and food, and the darned English authorities are sending all colonial officers to Cairo to rot on their arrival from Gallipoli. I have been 22 weeks at the front. I would give anything for a comparatively cool climate away from sand, dust and disease. But all we colonials are getting sent to Cairo. If ever I do get back I will not try to battle a day against wounds or sickness, but clear off the base at every opportunity which is exactly what a lot of officers do. The less said about some of them the better. But if some of the Australians do live through this stunt there will be tales to tell. I don’t suppose the censors will pass this now, but he can only defer, never suppress the inevitable truth. I do absolutely detest the idea of Cairo. It has been a curse to our men from the first. Now I’ve had a growl I feel somewhat ashamed of myself. Usually I accept all that comes along without comment and make my men do the same. But Cairo, and I’m not well! How I would love a few days in dear old Tasmania. A few days would do and then I would be as keen as ever.

On the 21st of October 1915 Harry was again suffering with dysentery at Ibrahemich.

The attack must have been extremely severe resulting in Harry being classified as unfit for further service. His mother, as next of kin, was advised on the 20th October 1915.

What happened next one can only guess at, but on the 9th November 1915, he was returned to duty, Class A. From Alexandria, Harry was sent to rejoin his unit on Gallipoli, on the 7th December 1915, but less than a month later, o the 3rd January 1916, disembarked at Alexandria from Mudros per “H.T. Tunisian”. He was promoted to Lieutenant at Moascar on the 20th January 1916, and six weeks later, on the 1st March 1916, at Ismailia, was promoted to Captain. Later that month the 13th Battalion was moved to France.

Mouquet Farm – 1916

Recommendation for DSQ.

On the 29th August during the attack at Mouquet farm, this Officer commanded left flank Coy of the 13th Battalion front line which was heavily shelled from daylight until dark. By his personal example he inspired confidence and resolution into his men throughout the day so that at 11 p.m. when the assault was delivered they moved steadily forward to the attack. Despite extremely heavy rifle fire and machine-gun fire and bombing, the objective was taken but the Coy. was then so weakened by the losses, that there was a tendency to give way before the strong counter attack, which the enemy immediately made.

By fine example set by Captain Murray they beat off this attack and three subsequent attacks. Rifles were useless owing to the mud but Cpt. Murray extemporised a system of bombs supply and the fight continued for one hour during which he was twice wounded (since evacuated) but continued fighting. At one period an enemy bullet started a man’s equipment exploding whereupon Capt. Murray rushed to the man and tore his equipment off him thus saving the man’s life at great personal risk.

 Realising that it was useless to remain longer in the German trenches Capt. Murray then arranged the retirement of the remains of his Coy., in the coolest possible manner although he had just previously shot two Germans in the hand-to-hand encounter. He continued on duty until all was safe on the morning of the 30th when , fainting from loss of blood was compelled to hand over his Coy. For coolness bravery and soldier-like qualities this officer ranks among the best in the Australian Forces and is recommended for very high distinction.

Commanding Officer of the 13th Battalion.

The farm was eventually recaptured by force of 300 men.

Harry was evacuated to Le Havre and embarked on “H.S Asturias”, on the 7th September 1916, for England, suffering from gun shot wounds to the left leg and back. He was admitted to the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, and discharged from hospital on the 5th October 1916, to rejoin the 13th Battalion on the 19th October 1916.

While convalescent in England, Harry wrote again to his sister in Tasmania. “They (the Germans) cannot fight in hand-to-hand. A determined man could beat half-a-dozen with his hat – so long as the Germans thought the hat was a weapon that would hurt. I had a hand-to-hand struggle with five of them, after they had wounded me and knocked my two companions out with two grenades. My shell helmet saved me from one at the outset of the struggle. He hit me on the head with a knobkerrie, but I had a revolver, and he did not get time to hit twice, and the other four tried to escape after they saw their comrade fall. Fancy five of our fellows running from even five Germans! There’s no fear of anything like that.

Murray was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field – France, 13th November, 1916.

Murray wrote: The night was one of austere beauty. A mantle of frozen snow, flooded by rich moonlight, had removed all the ugly scares of previous battles, and everything showed out with startling clarity against the illuminated sheeting. On this occasion, unfortunately, the stillness of the night was rudely broken by bellowing guns, bursting shells, and the sight of men struggling like wild animals.

Stormy Trench.

4th – 5th February 1917.

 The night attack was launched across frozen snow and Murray’s men reached the objective trench and set up a barricade. The German counter-attacked, shattering the barricade, and Murray fired an S.O.S. signal which brought artillery support. The enemy continued attacking and was bombing heavily when Murray called on twenty bombers and led a brilliant charge which drove them off. From midnight to 3 a.m. fierce enemy bombing continued. Murray observed movement in an adjacent trench and called again for artillery support. By daylight his party had occupied the trench and held it until relieved at 9 p.m.

Recommendation for Victoria Cross.

Capt. Murray commanded the Right flank Company in the attack by the 13th Battalion on Stormy trench, north-east of Gueudecourt on the night of the 4th – 5th February 1917. I placed him on the right flank because it was the most dangerous and critical. He led his Company to the assault with great skill and courage, and the position was quickly captured. Then followed the severest fighting in the history of the 13th Battalion, and I am sure that the position could not have been held and our efforts crowned by victory but for the wonderful work of this officer.

His Company beat off one counter-attack after another, three big attacks in all, although one of these consisted of no less than five separate bombing attacks. All through the night the enemy concentrated the fire of many 4.2s and 5.9s on the sector of trench held by this Company, and in 24 hours the fighting strength dwindled steadily from 140 to 48. On one occasion the men gave ground for 20 yards, but Captain Murray rushed to the front and rallied them by sheer valour. With his revolver in one hand and a bomb in the other he was ubiquitous, cheering his men, heading  bombing parties, leading bayonet charges, or carrying wounded from the dangerously shelled areas with unequalled bravery.

 So great was his power of inspiration, so great his example, that not a single man in his Company reported himself shell-shocked, although the shelling was frightful, and the trench at times a shambles that beggars description. His Company would follow him anywhere, and die for him to a man. ‘He won the DCM at Anzac and the DSO at Mouquet Farm in France. I most strongly recommend Capt. Murray for the Victoria Cross.

(Signed) W. Holmes. Major – General, Commanding 4th Australian Division.

“The capture of Stormy Trench could quite easily have entailed heavy  - nay disastrous – losses, but, due to the clever planning of the staff and the subsequent perfect co-ordination of all manoeuvres, it fell into our hands with practically no casualties. Holding the position afterwards was a different matter. It called for the most stubborn fighting I have ever witnessed, and it was here that the Digger showed what he was made of.

Harry Murray was an extremely determined man, stubborn in fact, but at the same time he was a shy and retiring man. He shunned publicity, preferring to live his life privately. He was offered a knighthood by the Queen but declined, preferring a quiet life with family and friends. He wanted no rewards for fighting for freedom. He seldom spoke of war and even less often wrote about it.

 One instance of his determination is described by Major R.C. Winn, MC., AAMC. (Acting RMO.) in “Reveille” 1937. “He was in a dugout suffering from a severe bout of influenza, and was running a temperature of 103 degrees. It seemed so obvious he should be evacuated that I immediately set about making the necessary arrangements. Murray surprised me saying “You can cut that out, I’m not going away.” “Not going?” I gasped. “You’ll get pneumonia if you don’t. In fact, I’m not too certain you haven’t got it already.”  “Pneumonia or not, I’m not going to hospital. I’m going to take Stormy Trench tomorrow.” “Don’t be silly. You’re not fit. All you’re going to take is a pill.” “I tell you I’m going to take Stormy Trench; and what’s more, let me tell you I’m going to keep it.

One of his famous messages illustrates his supreme confidence as well as his farm background. “With artillery support we can keep the position till the cows come home.”

Harry was promoted to Temporary Major on the 11th April 1917, when Major Marks M.C. was evacuated wounded.

In the first battle of Bullecourt, on the same day, Murray’s unit was following the 16th Battalion, and saw them caught against the wire in a torrent of machine-gun fire. “Come on men”, he shouted, “the 16th are getting hell.”

“The German machine gunners and the riflemen all opened enfilade fire on us, particularly from the right where the enemy was comparatively unmolested. So severe was the fire at one period that I had to order ‘A’ Company to  lie down for a few minutes until the fire ceased.”

Harry’s friend, Percy Black was killed trying to find a gap in the wire. Murray said, “his death being in the nature of a calamity to us there, and the AIF in general. He was the bravest man I ever knew, and I knew hundreds of them.”

Murray got through to the German trenches and sent a message that the position could be held with the artillery support and more ammunition. However, the artillery was not permitted to fire and under heavy German barrage, Murray withdrew his men. For his part in the battle, he received a Bar to his DSO.

“My own view of the decision to attack Bullecourt is that the conception generally was sound, but that faulty tactics were employed. As the High Command relied chiefly upon surprise, there could be no preliminary bombardment, but that meant risking a great deal. Too much reliance was placed on the tanks, which, at the tie were almost untried, certainly unproved, and their personnel did not then seem to be well chosen. They were manned by mechanics, instead of soldiers.

Amid all the tragedy and loss there that morning, one episode gave us complete satisfaction at the time. Most of the unwounded having made a dash for the Australian lines, ten of us decided (as Germans were in the next bay of the trench) that it was time for us to go too. So, with seventy to a hundred of the enemy chasing us, we jumped into a shell-hole on his side of the wire to finish the argument – we would have been sitting shots for them if we had tried to cross the entanglement.

There was some dust and smoke at the time, and the German machine-gunners, unable to distinguish their own men from us, almost completely wiped out would-be captors. It had always been rather a mystery to me how we managed to cross the wire, it being too high to straddle and too thick to get one’s leg through often. I ruined a perfectly good pair of breeches that morning!”

Harry had a lucky escape that morning. As he was negotiating the wire, he felt a rifle bullet cut across his back, just breaking the skin.

Murray relinquished the rank of Temporary Major, on the 30th April 1917, on the return to duty of Major E. Twynam.

Harry  wrote:-

“A rifle bullet grazed the back of my neck, dropping me for a second. I was done! No, only a false alarm.  This was written on the 1st December 1939.

Recommendation for Bar to DSO.

He rendered conspicuous service in the attack near Bullecourt on the 11th of April 1917. He led his Coy, with great courage and skill through 1200 yards of shell and machine gun fire and he and his Coy. still kept on although they lost 75% of their strength before reaching the 2nd Objective. Captain Murray being the senior Officer of the 4th Bde, in the 1st and 2nd objectives went along the whole frontage 900 yards organising and directing the defence, always encouraging the men of all units by his cheerfulness and bravery and always moving to the points of danger.

When the bomb supply was running out and the men gave ground he rallied them time after time and fought back the Germans over and over again. When there was no alternative but to surrender or withdraw through the heavy machine-gun fire Capt. Murray was the last to leave the position. He was not only brave and daring but a skilful soldier possessing tactical instinct of the highest order. He has already been awarded the VC., DSO., and DCM.

(Signed) W. Holmes  Major-General  Commanding 4th Australian Division.

Murray gallantly led his Company over 1,200 yards of fire swept ground. Later he went along the whole frontage, organising the defence, encouraging the men of all units by his cheerfulness and bravery, and always moving to  the points of danger. He is not only brave and daring, but a skilful soldier, possessing tactical instinct of the highest order.

The Army Commander, France. The Corps Commander and the G.O.C. of the Division desire that their congratulations be conveyed to this officer. 10th May 1917.

Whilst on leave in May-June 1917, Murray stayed at the Hotel Windsor. A friend described what happened. “Murray was an untidy dresser, if you know what I mean, like a lot of very good soldiers. He was a sleeper-cutter, and anything would do with him. He’d throw his Sam Brown on. It wouldn’t matter if the buckle was in the right place, or around the back, or where it was. He wasn’t a man who went in for ceremony at all. But we were putting him on public display, so I smartened him up a bit.”

On the 2nd of June 1917, the King presented Harry with the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished service Order and Bar, at an investiture in Hyde Park. (See newspaper report of the 21st July 1917.)

London Gazette 18th June 1917.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He gallantly led his company over 1,200 yards of fire-swept ground. Later, he went along the whole frontage organising the defence, encouraging men of all units by his cheerfulness and bravery, and always moving to points of danger. He is not only brave and daring, but a skilful soldier possessing tactical instinct of the highest order.

On the 12th July 1917, Murray was promoted to Major.

On the 8th March 1918, Harry formed the 4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion from the 13th Battalion, AIF in France.

The 4th Australian Brigade was closely associated with the New Zealander’s and shared training in Egypt. Of these people, Harry wrote, “We knew what the New Zealander’s could not do as soldiers, could not be done by any other troops in the world…. Tried and proved –comrades who were never found wanting.”

The historian of the 13th battalion wrote, “not only was the 13th proud of him, but the whole brigade was, from General to Digger. His unconscious modesty won him still greater admiration… Murray’s courage was not the reckless exposure to danger of Jacka or Sexton, who didn’t know fear. He was a sensitive man who believed in discipline and wrote that it transformed thousands of men – “nervy and highly strung like myself – enabling them to do the work which without discipline, they would have been quite incapable of performing.”

Murray wrote, “The material of the section may have been good, but any success that the members have achieved I attribute more than anything to the splendid training we received in W. A.”

On the 16th April 1918, Major Murray was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Murray was awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Etoile de Vermeli.

Recommendation.

During the periods from the 24th April to the 23rd May, and the 2nd of August to the 7th August 1918, this officer commanded the 4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion with conspicuous skill and ability. His duties continually necessitated his being under heavy fire and in close co-operation with our trench allies. His work has been marked by gallantry, skill and good judgment.

17th September 1918, Commander, 4th Australian Division.

Between the 24th September 1918 and the 2nd October 1918, Harry was detached to the 2nd American corps.

On the 4th November 1918, Harry was granted 5 days Special Leave in U. K., another welcome change of diet, climate and action.

Lt. Col. H. W. Murray was made Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, on the 30th January, 1919.

Recommendation.

This officer has commanded the Machine Gun Battalion of the Division since its conception on the 15th March 1918. His work has been marked by conspicuous gallantry, ability, tactical knowledge and devotion to duty. During the period 18th September to the 11th November he commanded the machine guns of the Division (and those of an attached Machine Gun Battalion) with marked success in the operations which resulted in the capture of the Hindenberg Outpost Line. He also, as Liaison Machine Gun Officer with the 2nd American Corps, largely contributed to the successful work of the machine guns of that Corps in the operations resulting in the breaking of the main Hindenberg Line. He is recommended for high distinction.

(Signed) E. G. Sinclair Maclagan.  Major General, Commanding the 4th Australian Division.

Harry was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of the 16th March 1919.

Harry reported to Headquarters in France on the 8th June 1919 and was granted leave with pay from the 8th June to the 31st October, 1919. He toured France and Belgium and went on to London. From there he toured the United Kingdom to study stock raising. His contact address was C/- Lt. Thornton. 11 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

Lt. Col. Murray embarked on the “Ormonde” at Toulon on the 15th November 1919 for return to Australia, via England.

Home at last!

GENERAL BIRDWOOD"S ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA.
A TUMULTUOUS RECEPTION.
COLONEL MURRAY, VC., HONOURED.
EXUBERANT “DIGGERS.”

There was a warm reciprocity of feeling about General Birdwood’s arrival and welcome in Australia yesterday that was unmistakable. The “diggers” gave him a most tumultuous reception, on his part General Birdwood was obviously moved by deep sentiment on setting foot on the land which he had never seen before, but for a glimpse of which his association with Australia’s sons of the war fields of Gallipoli and France had developed in him an irresistible yearning. He was tremulous with pleasurable excitement and his essential feelings must surely have been those of a home-comer.

But it was all quite natural enough , for what Army commander ever “Hit it” with his men better than did General Birdwood. And what commander ever won a higher degree of respectful loyalty from his men, than did the popular army corps leader? According to a one-time favourite story, the General was once talking in the Strand, London, to a distinguished civilian, when two typical diggers passed. Upon the ‘diggers’ failing to observe a certain well-known item of the King’s regulations, and the general’s apparent obliviousness of the omission, the astonished civilian asked him why he did not pull the men up for a reprimand. The General smiled, and shook his head. “I have no wish,” he said, “to be shown up in the Strand.”

This story bears the secret of General Birdwood’s remarkable “hold” on the Australian Forces, for the great Anzac Chieftain, or “Birdie”, as he is familiarly dubbed by the “diggers” carried relations with the Army well beyond the realm of the rigid disciplinarian, and well into that of the most genuine human intercourse, by which he came to know and appreciate that unique specimen of the soldier whom Australia had sent him.

So, by virtue of his essentially human contact with his men, General Birdwood became an influence for the moral sustenance of the AIF, of which the forces could not easily have afforded to be bereft, and there existed between the General and his Army a thorough and happy mutual understanding which counted not a little in the bit crises of the war.

Every unit in the AIF can recollect some touch or other of the General’s genial influence – gun batteries, struggling in the slime, for new positions, weary fatigue parties, and heavy-laden infantry battalions, toiling to or from the line – all sections of the army cherish lively recollections of general Birdwood’s cheery salute, when “Birdie” has made his welcome appearance, at awkward and unexpected moments in the great fray.

Small wonder then, at the memorable demonstration which marked the General’s advent on Australian soil, at Fremantle yesterday. The Orient Company’s Ormonde which bore General Birdwood as the head of a distinguished company of military officers, including Generals Monash and Wisdom, and Colonels Bruch and Murray, VC, and an extensive transport party of “diggers” and their English wives, reached Cage Roads at an early hour, and was berthed at about 10 o’clock.

 As the vessel approached the wharf, in tedious tow, the crowd that had been waiting, inside and outside the official barriers, swelled rapidly to dense concourse, the ship’s sirens shrieked the ecstatic signal, the figure of General Birdwood, standing prominently forward on the top deck, was promptly recognised, and the large muster of returned soldiers on  the wharf gave round after round of cheering when the distinguished party, led by the General and Lady Birdwood and their youngest daughter, descended the gangway.  Those waiting on the wharf to take part in the celebrations were the Premier (Mr Mitchell), Mr Burchell, MHR. Various state politicians, the Brigadier-General Bessel Browne, General Drake Brockman, Lieut.-Col. Peck, and the State Governor’s A.D.C.

Intercepting the party at the foot of the gangway, the President of the Fremantle branch of the R.S.A (Mr. A. E. Pady) made a brief speech of welcome, which was followed by great cheering. General Birdwood then stepped back on to the gangway and made a fervent response. Addressing the gathering as old “diggers”, comrades, and friends, he said he need not tell them how delighted he was that the first welcome he was so honoured by receiving in Australia, after that of the Minister of Defence on behalf of the Commonwealth Government should be from his old comrades of those last five years.

It was practically five years to the day that they had seen serving together, and he was no more likely to forget those early days with them in Egypt, than he was the days they had passed through together since then to the end. No one knew better than he the Bravery and Staunchness which they had shown throughout all those long years, how they stuck it out in face of everything, raising the name of Australia to the highest pinnacle.

It was indeed a satisfaction now to know that they were all at last home again, having accomplished the object with which they set out. He wondered if any had contemplated what failure would have meant – a German domination over the country, almost a state of slavery, and subjugation of those principles which they held dearer than life itself. Let them thank God that the danger was behind them, they hoped forever, and while Thanking God for the never – failing help received, let them also never forget those magnificent men, the best and bravest who gave their lives willingly for the cause in which they fought.

“And now boys,” he proceeded, “we are at home, I know that you all must have realised more than ever that Australia is a country worth living for, equally as you have proved it is worth dying for. But you must also know
that the game is by no means over, and that in making Australia worth living for there is - Still Much Work To Be Done, by every single individual. Having proved yourselves magnificent soldiers and loyal comrades in war,
I am convinced that you mean to prove yourselves equally good citizens in peace, working in the common cause for the best interest of your country and the well-being of your fellow-citizens, upholding the law, and being loyal to whatever Government is elected by the people. I do, indeed, wish you all every possible happiness and prosperity during the coming and many another year. Before leaving Western Australia, I sincerely hope that I shall have an opportunity of meeting you all again, and I trust seeing something of your mothers, wives, and sisters and thanking them for all they have done to help win this war.” Loud and continuous cheers followed the termination of the address.

General Monash, in a short address, expressed his great pleasure at being again on Australian soil after five years’ absence, and receiving such a hearty welcome. He paid tribute to the way in which the Australian soldiers had co-operated in the world of demobilisation.

There was an inspection of the guard by General Birdwood and party, during which Col. Murray, VC. Whom the returned soldiers on the wharf were very keen to honour as the “champion of decorations” slipped from the quay with the intention of making for the Town Hall. He was espied, however, before his escape was complete, surrounded by “an over whelming force of returned men and carried shoulder high to one of a string of motor cars that lay waiting. General Birdwood and party and Col. Murray were vociferously cheered as they drove through the flag-bedecked streets, to the Town hall, and as many “diggers” as could possibly be accommodated under emergency conditions hung to the car containing the decorated hero. Colonel Murray was carried shoulder high into the Hall.

The Civic Reception :- An Enthusiastic Welcome.

The Fremantle Town Hall was crowded to overflowing when the distinguished visitors – Colonel Murray, VC, on the shoulders of a couple of stalwart “diggers” in the centre of a large group of cheering soldiers – arrived to be the guests of a civic reception. The audience rose and vociferously greeted General Birdwood and his gallant associates. The Mayor of Fremantle (Mr F.H. Gibson) presided and with him on the platform were the Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) several members of Parliament, representative men of Perth and Fremantle, and many officers of the Defence Department.

The Mayor said they had assembled to tender a hearty welcome to generals Birdwood, Monash and Wisdom and Colonel Murray, VC. Everybody present knew the individual records of the guests and what they had done for the Allies. General Birdwood had not been here before but his name was a household word in Australia (Cheers). General Monash was a native of Australia and could count on a fitting reception at the hands of Australians anywhere in Australia (Applause).

They all knew who Colonel Murray was, and what he had done. (Tumultuous applause). Of General Wisdom he need not speak, for General Wisdom was virtually one of themselves and was already at home again. (Applause). He extended to all four the heartiest of welcomes and would ask Mr Burchell to support it.

Mr Burchell, MHR. Said that he was sure that the welcome which had been already accorded to Generals Birdwood, Monash and Wisdom on the wharf, but which had unfortunately had missed Colonel Murray – (Laughter) – was typical of Western Australians. All were proud to welcome the quartet to Australia, they were proud to welcome the visitor in General Birdwood, proud to welcome back General Monash and General wisdom, and proud above all that a Western Australian who had gone away in the ranks should have come back decorated as was colonel Murray (Great cheering). He was convinced that the welcome of that morning was only typical of what Generals Birdwood and Monash would meet with throughout Australia.

He particularly desired to tender to General Wisdom - a one-time political opponent – the heartiest of welcomes. On his (Mr. Burchell’s) arrival in France, he had been met with open arms by General Wisdom and he now desired to reciprocate that memorable welcome. At Mr. Burchell’s suggestion the audience rose and cheered the guests again and again.

General Monash.

Again he wished to refer to his dear friend Colonel Murray –(great cheering) – who had come out to him as a private of the fourth Brigade, and was now lieutenant – colonel commanding the smartest machine gun battalion in the AIF. The AIF were just as proud of Colonel Murray as was Fremantle. What more could be said at that point? He again thanked them sincerely for their splendid welcome.

Colonel Murray, V.C.

Colonel Murray, who was not permitted to speak until the audience had yelled itself hoarse said: I am afraid you have rather taken the wind out of my sails altogether. All I can do is to thank you most heartily for your welcome to us on returning to our own homeland. This is the moment we have all waited for and fought for.
A Voice: What about Tasmania?
Colonel Murray: It is all a part of Australia.
Another Voice: Go on “Digger” keep going!
Colonel Murray: The only other thing I wish to say is that anything I have done or gained I owe, not to myself, but to the privilege and honour which I enjoyed of commanding the most magnificent fighters in the world, namely the Australians. I thank you all very much for your hearty welcome.
The distinguished soldier sat down as he had risen, in a perfect furore of cheering and applause.

Tasmania.

Harry returned to Tasmania and lived with his mother in the old house, built in 1874, at 33 Erina Street, Launceston. His appointment was terminated on the 9th March 1920. He stayed in Tasmania for about six months before moving to Victoria and on to Queensland. During the war, Mrs. Clarissa Murray lived at Sheffield with her daughter, Hannah, Mrs. Joshua Cocker.

Queensland.

Harry settled at Muckadilla, near Mitchell in Queensland, on a property called “Blairmack”. Harry married Constance Sophia Cameron on the 13th October 1921. He described himself as “up in Queensland, have a small grazing property, 15,000 acres, carrying about 10,000 sheep and am busy training them to march in fours etc.,” and went on to say, “I was born on the 1st December 1884. The nearest Township to my home was Evandale, but Launceston was almost as close and usually I give my native town as Launceston…for I do not truly belong to any village or town, but am a true child of the soil and jolly glad to be back on it.”

The marriage was a failure and the couple separated in 1925. Harry left Queensland to live in New Zealand where he lived with Ellen (Nell) Purdon Cameron, his wife’s niece. A long and bitter divorce was finalised on the 11th November 1927, Harry married Nell at the Registry Office in Aukland.

They returned to Queensland and stayed with Nell’s father, MR. D.J. Cameron, of Landridge, St. George, Queensland while they searched for a property. With the help of friends and relatives, the couple moved to “Glenlyon”, near Richmond, Queensland on the 1st April 1928. Two children were born of this marriage. Douglas Neil, born 1930 and Clementine Helen McArthur, born 1934 (Clem as she prefers to be called was named after a long time friend of her father, Lady Clementine Montgomery, and after her mother’s ancestor, John McArthur.

Harry wrote, “I work pretty hard here, the place contains 80,000 acres and I manage with one man. We are slowly but surely climbing the hill. We slipped down during the depression and drought years, and owing to the low price of wool, it is hard work, and one needs to study every avenue by which an out-go occurs. We Primary fools have no control over our income.

On the 29th December 1937, Harry wrote to the editor of Reveille giving him “a good Strafe” for adding a heading to Murray’s article on Stormy Trench. He went on to say, “Surely you could see it was my desire not to pat my own back. I am very sorry that you did it. Why not let the Diggers have it all to themselves? God knows, they deserve it, and all else that should be told of them. They were the very salt of the earth, and lucky cows like me received the kudos that was really theirs.”

World War II.

Harry enlisted once again in the AIF, on the 21st July 1939, and was posted to the 26th Battalion as Commanding Officer A.M.F. in North Queensland. Service No. Q30751. On the Mobilisation Attestation Form he gave details as follows:

Address:  “Glenlyon”, Richmond, Queensland.
Age:   55
Date of Birth:  1st December 1855.
Place of birth:  Launceston, Tasmania.
Civilian Employment:  Grazier.
Religion:  Church of England.
Married to E. Murray of the same address.
Two children: 1 male, 1 female.
Previous Service:  16th Battalion 1914 – 1918.
Promoted to Lt - Col. No written examination - Great War appointment. Taken on strength.
The same information was given on the Attestation Form except for his age and birthday, which were given as 56 years, born 1st December 1886.
“You might wonder what I will do if the need for an overseas arises! Well, if they will have me, I am going. We licked Fritz once, but this time we will give him Hell. We must end war for all time.

Harry was granted leave without pay from 1st October 1941 to 13th October 1941, then in November of the same year attended MT No. 1 Course at Annerley.
He was again granted leave without pay 3rd January to the 8th January 1942, and 21st February to the 12th March 1942.
7th April 1942, he was granted sick leave, and on the 3rd August 1942 was seconded to 23 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps. Lieutenant Colonel commanding. Army No. QX48850.
On the 3rd August 1942, Harry was seconded to 23rd Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps. Lieutenant Colonel commanding. Army No. QX48850.
On the 19th August, Murray was appointed to command “F” Group.

Continued ill-health plagued him. On the 20th February 1943, Harry was evacuated to 116 Australian General Hospital with an infection in the left arm. He was discharged and returned to his unit on the 4th March 1943.

On the 8th February 1944, Harry relinquished command and retired from Military Service due to ill –health.

In 1956, Harry and his wife attended the VC Centenary Celebrations in London.

While on a visit to Tasmania, Harry told an amusing story to a young boy who still remembers:-

During a break in the fighting, Harry was in his tent, having a cup of tea with a British airman while a German plane was making a nuisance of itself overhead. The pilot excused himself and left the tent. Ten minutes later he returned and sat down to finish his tea. He explained to his host that he hadn’t been able to hear himself think so he had taken his plane up and shot down the German!

At Home

Harry enjoyed tennis parties with friends. He grew wonderful vegetables and visitors always went home with an armful of his produce. He enjoyed reading, but music was another story – he could hardly tell one tune from another. He could march, yet when it came to dancing, he could hardly tell his left foot from his right. He was a very retiring man. He wrote about the war, but rarely spoke about it. He hated public appearances, yet would speak his mind whenever necessary. He was a loyal RSL member, but never attended Anzac Day parades.

Harry and Nell were going on a holiday to the Gold Coast. Nell was driving along the Condamine Highway, just before Roma where they were to spend the night, when a tyre blew out, the car got out of control and rolled. Neither was hurt badly, Harry had a broken rib, and Nell a cut on her hand.

Both were taken to the Miles District Hospital.

Harry died that night of a heart attack. The date was the 7th January, 1966.

His wife Nell married and now lives at Buderim, in Queensland. Son Douglas took over the “Glenlyon” property and had four children of his own. He has since retired and his sons run “Glenlyon” and an adjoining property.

A portrait of Henry William Murray, by George Bell, hangs in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

A sketch of Murray’s personality by one who knew him intimately, in and out of the line:

“ A sensitive man----one who always rose to the occasion; practical and careful, yet at the same time reckless of personal safety wherever the situation required it; possessed an inborn grasp of tactical requirements and a sure sense of a vital or dangerous point. It was always to these he personally attended, and he made a constant practice of using any pause in the fighting to make a reconnaissance in company with some trusted soldier of any neighbouring or outlying trench, so that when the Germans next attacked, he had mastered the geography of the position, and knew exactly how to deal with the situation. He was one of those who always got the best out of their men. When he was about they always seemed to be equal to about three times their normal effort.

The Chinchilla News Thursday January 13th 1966.

Lieutenant –Colonel Henry William (Harry) Murray, one of the highest decorated soldiers in the world, died in Miles District Hospital last Friday morning, the 7th of January.

He was admitted to hospital at Miles on Thursday the 6th January after being injured in a car accident on the Condamine Highway, 10 miles west of Condamine. He died from a heart attack.

Lieutenant -Colonel Murray, (85) a grazier, of “Glenlyon”, Richmond, received severe wounds and fractures to the left hand, fractured ribs chest injuries, multiple lacerations and contused wounds to the right arm and right leg, cuts to the neck and head and shock when the car, driven by his wife, Mrs. Ellen Murray, (61), overturned several times.

The vehicle, which was wrecked, came to rest on it’s hood in the table drain. Lieutenant-Colonel Murray was still in the car strapped in his seat belt harness, and he was released by a passing motorist. Mrs. Murray who was thrown out of the car, suffered injuries to the right arm and neck, fractured sternum, back injuries and shock. Miles Ambulance bearers rendered first aid and transported the accident victims to Miles District Hospital.

On Sunday, Miles Ambulance transferred Mrs. Murray to Southport General Hospital.

Lieutenant -Colonel Murray, V.C., C.M.G., D.S.O. and Bar, D.C.M., and Croix de Guerre, was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and enlisted for World War 1 in Western Australia as a private. He won his V.C. for gallantry in France in 1917, at that time being a Captain and Company Commander in Australia’s 13th Battalion. Lieutenant-Colonel Murray is to be given a full Millitary Funeral in Brisbane tomorrow.

Courier Mail Friday January 8th 1966.

Decorations won by Lieutenant –Colonel Harry Murray, V.C., Australia’s most decorated soldier, were carried behind his coffin by Major D. Kayler Thomson as the funeral prepared to move from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, City, yesterday to the Mt. Thompson Crematorium.

Old Diggers crowded into St. Andrew’s to pay their last respects to Colonel Murray, V.C., C.M.G., D.S.O. and Bar, D.C.M., Croix de Guerre, who was given a full military funeral.

He died on the 7th January 1966 in Miles Hospital from a heart attack after a car accident the previous night. Colonel Murray, of “Glenlyon Station”, Richmond, was 80.

Yesterday, dozens of wreaths and sheaves of flowers filled the entrance to the church where 300 people heard a former senior Army Chaplain, the Rev. R.M.Park, conduct the service.

From Sydney.

The president of the 13th Battalion Association (Major T.Wells) came from Sydney to deliver a eulogy in St. Andrew’s.

“He will be remembered not only for his magnificently outstanding record as a soldier, but for his friendliness, his kindness, his modesty, and his worthiness as a man.” Major Wells said.

Colonel Murray won his Victoria Cross as a captain in the 13th Battalion in France. Earlier he served at Gallipoli. A combined band from Northern Command and the 2nd and 6th Battalions and 150 soldiers of the 6th Battalion escorted the gun carriage carrying Colonel Murray’s body down Ann Street and across the Story Bridge,

At the crematorium a party from the 18th Field Squadron fired a volley and a bugler played the Last Post and reveille before Colonel Murray’s body was cremated. The pall bearers were: Lieutenant-Colonel R. Lonnie (retired), Lieutenant-Colonel T. Parslow (C.M.F.), Lieutenant-Colonel T.H. Wilson (Commander of the Royal Engineers, Northern Command), Lieutenant-Colonel D.G.Wright (Commander of the R.A.A.S.C., Northern Command), Lieutenant-Colonel R.I. Harrison (C.M.F.), Major M. Gardner and Major A.E. Turner.

Watch this space more to be added soon.