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Medals of a Rat
31 August 2011 by David Gist.
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1941, Tobruk,Collection,Exhibitions,News,Personal Stories, Exhibition, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War
Visitors to the Memorial’s exhibition Rats of Tobruk 1941 will have noticed the unofficial Rats of Tobruk medal presented, according to its engraving, by Lord Haw Haw. Around twenty of these medals were made at Tobruk, which illustrates one of the earliest examples of the town’s defenders reclaiming the title ‘Rat’, bestowed on them by the propaganda radio program ‘Germany Calling’. Visitors may also notice the brasso caked around the small copper rat on this medal, the result of many years of cleaning. This perhaps gives an idea of the importance of this object in the life of its owner, John Joseph Murray, who commanded 20 Brigade at Tobruk. The care lavished on this object certainly accords with views expressed during Murray’s own lifetime about the pride he felt in having participated in this pivotal campaign. But this medal, while illustrating a highly significant period in Murray’s service career, does not give a full view of the breadth of his service. For a better appreciation of his distinguished career, we must turn to another set of objects, Murray’s medal group, which have recently gone on display in the Memorial’s Second World War gallery.
The medals of Major General J J Murray are impressive by anyone’s standards, and are the tangible result of a distinguished career which spanned thirty years and two wars. A native of Sydney, Murray had already served in the militia when he left Australia with the 5th Reinforcements to 1 Battalion in 1915. This unit had already participated in the first landings at ANZAC, and would remain at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December. Although his unit served at Gallipoli, his service record indicates that Murray did not. This anomaly may stem from the sectarian prejudices of his day, denying this Catholic officer the opportunity of frontline service.
With the doubling of the AIF in 1916, Murray was transferred to 53 Battalion and promoted to Temporary Captain. The battalion was subsequently sent to France, and its first major action on the Western Front was at the disastrous battle of Fromelles on 19 July. For his courage and leadership during this battle, Murray was awarded the Military Cross. In a similar vein to many award recommendations from that terrible day, Murray’s recommendation concludes, ‘[a]ll the other officers in his company were either killed or wounded.’
Murray’s unit participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917, and defended gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt. Promoted to Major, his unit saw further service when the AIF’s focus shifted to the Ypres sector in Belgium, where he was Mentioned in Despatches toward the end of 1917.
The stalled German offensive in March 1918 prompted an allied counteroffensive, which saw 53 Battalion in action in the capture of Peronne, where Murray was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His unit was withdrawn from the line at the start of October, and saw no further action in the First World War. After the armistice Murray was again Mentioned in Despatches for his leadership, and returned to Australia in 1919.
Murray resumed his duties in the militia, and after several command appointments and promotions, and the outbreak of a new war, joined the Second AIF in April 1940. He was appointed to command 20 Brigade, which embarked for the Middle East in October. In February 1941 the brigade transferred from 7 Division to 9 Division. Despite being poorly equipped, 9 Division were then sent to relieve 6 Division in Libya. At Er Regima, 20 Brigade were one of the first Australian formations to engage Rommel’s advancing Afrika Korps. The brigade successfully staged a fighting withdrawal to Tobruk, where they played an integral part in halting and eventually repelling the German advance on 14 April.
It was at Tobruk that Murray’s experience and leadership became wholly apparent. In his account of the campaign Tobruk 1941, Chester Wilmot described Murray as ‘…a big, genial Irishman who loves a fight. He is personally easy-going but brooks no slackness among his troops and even before Tobruk his brigade was marked out as one of the best-trained in the 2nd AIF. His dogged temperament made him well suited for the defensive tasks that lay ahead. He had shown himself a strong leader in the Great War when he won the DSO and MC and rose to be second-in-command of the 53rd Battalion.’
Overall command of Tobruk lay with Major General Leslie Morshead, whose defensive strategy was one of aggressive patrolling, summed up in his statement to Wilmot ‘I determined we should make no man’s land our land’. Murray’s First World War experience of static warfare in the trenches of the Western Front was readily adapted to Morshead’s philosophy. It was these tactics that prevented the German and Italian forces from observing the allied defences and kept Tobruk’s besiegers in a constant state of tension.
A good example is the ‘V For Victory’ campaign of psychological warfare that was adopted by Murray’s 20 Brigade in the southern sector during July and August. Murray ordered leaflets stencilled with ‘V Per Vittorio’ and ordered that they be attached ‘by the use of clips, string, nails, pins, etc., to enemy bodies, posts wire, sandbags, sangars, etc., by patrols’. With monotonous regularity, the Italian forces in this sector found Murray’s leaflets in their own defences, left by Australian patrols that they had never heard.
For his leadership during this period, Murray was awarded a Bar to his DSO. He left Tobruk in November with most of his brigade, and was Mentioned in Despatches for the performance of his duties. He returned to Australia in January 1942 and was promoted to Major General. This period of Murray’s career saw several commands at Division level, and the command of Northern Territory Force from March 1945 until the expiration of his appointment with the Second AIF in January 1946 when he was placed on the Reserve of Officers.
In peacetime, Murray worked as Australian trade commissioner to New Zealand from 1946 to 1949, and then to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1949, where health considerations saw him return to Australia. He died in Sydney in 1951.
The Australian War Memorial is proud to be able to display the medals of a soldier to the public whom he served with such distinction. They can be viewed as part of the Tobruk display in the Memorial’s Second World War gallery.
Further reading
For a detailed account of the entire Tobruk campaign, see Chester Wilmot’s Tobruk 1941.
For an insight into Murray’s own thoughts on this campaign, see his recently published account I Confess – A Memoir of the Siege of Tobruk.
Tobruk Diaries: ‘Tobruk essential for each side’
11 July 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Blamey, El Kantara, hospital, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Tobruk
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 11th July 1941
I can get around on my own now. I feel a bit shaky, but I’m getting stronger. A convoy of wounded arrived from Tobruk during the night.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 11th July 1941
Mosquitoes have me beat – worse than bombers. Missa Tempore Belli [Mass in Time of War]. Few casualties this morning from line change over 17th/32nd…To beach after lunch – two clients only – Dick Ley there now replacing Hore… Shelling again – 3 guns on harbour and cemetery region – two cases waiting when I returned. Millar died – boy who called for “Mum”. No breads yet…
Bryant’s Diary: Saturday 12th July 1941
Found Alan Nesbitt among new lot and he had mortar shrapnel in the left arm. Keith Bird was killed with the same bomb he told me.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Saturday 12th July 1941
Still sleeping through raids. Used ointment to combat mosquitoes and it worked all night. Mass for Millar (Mum). Hunt for Catholics because Goodman failed to write religions on cards… Only one air-raid…today – 700 during our day here. Pat Russell in here and Hore up from the Beach. Lendon has his majority and we celebrated – beer and roast beef. Two burials today and dusty as usual – grave diggers have dysentery…
Cosgriff’s Diary: Sunday 13th July 1941
Slept through raids in which 2 were killed and 3 injured. 3 Masses and congregation is smaller because of movements… Did all the penitents this afternoon. Wrote 4 pages home, Elsa yesterday. Big list of missing from Greece in mess – G.P Youll’s name is on it but I think he is safe. No raids during Masses today but plenty of harmless shelling today – One plane departing with a smoky posterior. Beer available again tonight in small doses. Chas Littlejohn in Cairo – dinner with Blamey…
Bryant’s Diary: Monday 14th July 1941
A large batch left the hospital today to go to El Kantara where is situated the Base Hospital. I’m coming on so well that it won’t be long before I go.
Cosgriff’s Diary: Monday 14th July 1941
Some raids but they did not get us up. Mass for Harnell R.I.P. Met 3 bad eggs this morning… the first I have met in the army. Today probably the hottest we have had… Russians reckon German casualties at a million. Men had a beer issue today – a bottle and two tins per man. Eric Cooper working up here now but he still sleeps at Ward 7. Had a wild man in ward 9… Beat the C.O. at chess…
Cosgriff’s Diary: Tuesday 15th July 1941
Drowsy night – too hot to sleep. Bombs dropped fairly close last night. Missa Tempore Belli. Good round this morning but a lot are at the beach. Frank Reynolds in and I had to share my wine with him. Everything scarce now… Tapestry got home ok and pleased everybody… Shelling this arvo on the harbour and no damage done… G.O.C [General Officer Commanding] here before lunch and he thinks Russia will throw it in before long. Tobruk essential for each side. Pictures by Frank Hurley not satisfying to A.G.H relations. People in Australia should know about Tobruk now…
Cosgriff’s Diary: Wednesday 16th July1941
Planes over but we weren’t out of bed. Missa Tempore Belli. All right on round this morning. Steele in this morning. Tim’s supplies have arrived. Back from Syria. Patrols out each night now and doing well with very few casualties. Madonna [statue] knocked off stand by bomb. Thomas (song-writer) back to 9th Batt tomorrow. G.O.C in for dinner – roast beef etc. C.O harped on the nurses but got nowhere. War here not static but something doing each night. Boys striking Eyeties mostly. Enemy using a searchlight at night now. That gun is making them think about shifting beach hospital…
Cosgriff’s Diary: Thursday 17th July 1941
Still planes coming over each night. Missa Tempore Belli. Round ok today – no patients in ward 9… Shelling again today. Brief but they put some close to the beach hospital. Thos Steele came to light with a writing pad. Another successful raid last night. Chess school becoming bigger now. 100 tins of beer over after ration – 1 tin to each 3 men. Cigarette issue today makes us well stocked. Wrote to Ross McGregor. News not so good about Russia and Japan at the cross-roads…
Tobruk Diaries: Planes, Mosquitoes and Heat
04 July 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Edmondson, Second World War, Tobruk, VC
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 4th, Saturday 5th July 1941
Just the usual hospital routine, a pretty rapid improvement as a result.
Tobruk Diaries: Danger below…
27 June 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Waterhen
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 27th June 1941
The section worked all night putting mortar-proof roofs over dug-outs. We were just putting the finishing touches on our work when Reg stuck his pick in a jumping German mine. I received four ball shrapnel wounds in the small of the back and one in the left arm. Jim was hit twice in the groin, Reg a couple in the legs and Monty one in the ribs. After going through nearly every medical unit in the perimeter we finally ended up in the A.G.H. I was operated on but two pieces couldn’t be found. read on
Tobruk Diaries: Mail and other miracles
20 June 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, mail, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Tobruk
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 20th June 1941
Peaceful night at last. Missa SS Cordis Jesus… To beach this morning and worked all morning without finishing. Had a John Swan’s with Eric. John Horan as usual pessimistic about our position. The big push was definitely a big failure. God knows what will happen to us now but we hope for a Russo-German struggle. Still no mail but a parcel from Mrs Garvey with a pair of socks. Eyetie bombers over three times today dropping them from all heights. Our postmaster gone to Alex to shake up the mail… read on
Tobruk Diaries: Rest in Peace
13 June 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Tobruk, War records
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 13th June 1941
Heard only one raid and stayed in bed for it. Mass for Anderson R.I.P. To beach this morning but not so many there for me. Bombed down there on Tuesday evening and John Horan reckoned his dug-out turned a somersault. He also reckons the pearls fly through the tents down there. Bomb on hospital ward this evening. Eyetie artisan working on my timepieces. Started on Hamlet today Johnston - German, Steele - Italian, Devine – painting, me – Shakespeare. Still no mail but fags, chocolate and tooth paste in the mess… read on
Tobruk Diaries: The first VC
16 May 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Edmondson, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War, Tobruk, Victoria Cross
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 16th May 1941
Up often for warnings – no bombs – alarm failed…so no Mass…No communion either. Wrote to Aileen and I will post it this time. Jerrys in Syria and Irak will probably affect our air mail. Push on today by 2/12. Plenty of casualties but none serious. Two Jerry prisoners – first for long time. Eyetie prisoner who threw grenade brought in… Going to teach Fr. Borsorelli English and he can teach me Eyetie. Frank Reynolds in today. Says 12th have straightened their line. Raid tonight scattered us just as I started to write this. Reading supplies badly needed. No word from Len… read on
Talmadge Johnson and USS Mugford
15 May 2011 by Dianne Rutherford.
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From the collection,News,Personal Stories, AHS Centaur, Second World War, USS Mugford
Talmadge Johnson in 1940 (Photograph courtesy of L Johnson)The Australian War Memorial recently received a significant donation associated with an American sailor, Gunner’s Mate Talmadge Johnson, who served aboard USS Mugford, when she rescued the survivors from the sinking of AHS Centaur on 15 May 1943. read on
Tobruk Diaries: Masses, Miracles and a Godsend
09 May 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, Commemoration, Rats of Tobruk, Second World War
Cosgriff’s Diary: Friday 9th May 1941
Mass of BVM [Blessed Virgin Mary]. Evacuation flopped…ship failed to turn up – tonight? Gave McIven Dr. Regiss card to give to Eyetie chaplain. Two bombs very close to wards 2 and 7 – if the first had hit so would the second. The new shelter in 7 stood it with full marks – second miracle this week. Two very sick patients Lemon and Kennedy holding their own. Quiet at front and here too. Out of stockings – got…from Q. N. Store. McQuillan lent me Irish papers – ports question and De Valera – good reading. Everybody wondering what our next escape will be like. “In Te Domine Speravi” [God, refuge of the oppressed]. DG. read on
Tobruk Diaries: Questions, ‘furphies’ and rumours
02 May 2011 by Carlie Walker.
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1941, Tobruk,Tobruk diaries, 2/4 AGH, Exhibition, Second World War, Tobruk
Bryant’s Diary: Friday 2nd May 1941
Artillery could be heard all day as the battle continues. It appears as if the [G]ermans have captured 14 outer perimeter posts, but have not penetrated beyond them. Some big German planes came extremely low today bombing and machine gunning, but three and possibly four were brought down by S.A.A fire. Fred Legge of “C” Coy was killed accidentally today by an Italian hand grenade. read on
