Distinguished Service Order and Bar : Captain and Temporary Major H W Murray, 13 Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Service Order and Bar. Unnamed as issued.

Henry William 'Harry' Murray holds a unique place in the history of the AIF. For his actions in fighting in France at Mouquet Farm in August 1916 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), and another for his conduct during the first battle of Bullecourt the following year, represented by a Bar on his DSO ribbon. This inspirational soldier had already received the Distinguished Conduct Medal on Gallipoli and, barely a month before Bullecourt, had won the Victoria Cross. By war's end he would also be Mentioned in Despatches four times, appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, and be awarded the French Croix de Guerre.

In his initial DSO action, Murray and his weakened company of less than 100 men captured a seemingly unassailable objective at Mouquet Farm. Though a heavy counterattack forced their retirement, Murray managed to get his men back to their own lines under heavy fire with a number of prisoners. Twice wounded, Murray stayed with his men throughout the night until he fainted from loss of blood the following morning. A subsequent attack by over 700 men failed to achieve what Murray had done on that day. The objective was finally captured by a force of 3000. The recommendation for the award reads:

'On the 29th August 1916, during the attack near MOUQUET FARM, this Officer Commanded the left flank Coy. Of the Bn., 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 and machine gun fire and bombing, the objective was taken, but the Coy. was then so weakened by losses that there was a tendency to give way before the strong counter attack which the enemy immediately made.

By his fine example they beat off this attack and three subsequent attacks. Rifles were useless owing to the mud, but he 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 he 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, he then arranged the retirement of the remains of his Coy, in the coolest possible manner, although he had just previously shot two Germans in a hand to hand encounter. He continued on duty until all was safe on the morning of the 30th, when, fainting from loss of blood, he was compelled to hand over his Command to another Officer.

For coolness, bravery and soldier like qualities this Officer ranks amongst the best in the Australian Forces, and is recommended for very high distinction.'

In April 1917, within weeks of his Victoria Cross action the previous month, Murray was again in the thick of the fighting during the disastrous first battle of Bullecourt. He led his company across 1200 yards (over 1 kilometre) of intense enemy fire before they captured their first objective. The company was attempting to secure their second objective when their dwindling bomb (grenade) supply and high casualty rate in the face of overwhelming enemy counter attacks forced their retirement. For his actions Murray was awarded a Bar to his DSO. A recommendation for the award reads:

'He rendered conspicuous service in the attack near BULLECOURT on 11th April, 1917. He led his company with great courage and skill through 1200 yards of shell and machine gun fire and he and his company still kept on although they had lost 75% of their strength before reaching the second objective. Captain Murray being the senior officer of the 4th Brigade 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, Captain Murray was the last to leave the position. He is not only brave and daring but a skilful soldier possessing tactical instinct of the highest order. He has already been awarded the V.C., D.S.O., and D.C.M.’

Murray was born at Evandale, Tasmania on 1 December 1880 and was working in Western Australia when he enlisted in the 16th Battalion as private soldier 315. Later commissioned in the 13th Battalion, by the end of the war he commanded the 4th Machine Gun Battalion and was more highly decorated than any other AIF soldier.

He settled in Queensland on his return to Australia and during the Second World War commanded the 26th Battalion and later the local Volunteer Defence Corps. Murray died in the Miles District Hospital on 7 January 1966.

Murray's DSO and Bar is preceded by the Victoria Cross and is accompanied by the Distinguished Conduct Medal, service medals for the First and Second World Wars, coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and the French Croix de Guerre. The medals are on loan from the direct descendants of Harry Murray.