Lieutenant Colonel Henry William (Harry) Murray, VC, CMG, DSO & bar, DCM

Date of birth	1883-12-30	Launceston, TAS.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	1902	Enlisted in the militia, Australian Field Artillery, Launceston.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	1914-10-13	Enlisted in the 16th Battalion, AIF, as a private.
Other	1915-04-25	Landed at Gallipoli with the 16th Battalion.
Date promoted	1915-05-13	Appointed lance corporal.
Date wounded	1915-05-30	Wounded in action, recieved gun shot wound to right knee.
Date of honour or award	1915-06-20	Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery during actions between 9-31 May.
Date wounded	1915-07-08	Wounded in action, remained on duty.
Date commissioned	1915-08-13	Appointed sergeant, comissioned 2nd lieutenant and transferred to the 13th Battalion.
Other	1915-09-26	Arrived in Egypt from Gallpoli. Murray was evacuated from gallipoli due to a medical condition.
Other	1915-12-07	Returned to Gallipoli.
Date promoted	1916-01-20	Appointed lieutenant.
Date promoted	1916-03-01	Appointed captain.
Other	1916-06-08	The 13th Battalion arrived in France.
Date wounded	1916-08-30	Wounded in action, gun shot wound in left thigh and back.
Date of honour or award	1916-10-25	Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). 'On 29th Aug during the attack at Mouquet Farm, this officer commanded the left flank Coy of the 13th 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 11pm 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 the losses that there was a tendency to give way before the strong counter attack which the enemy immediately made. By the fine example set by Cpt Murray they beat off this attack and three subsequent attacks. Rifles were useless owing to the mud but Capt 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 coollest [sic] 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 he was compelled to hand over his Coy. For coolness, bravery and soldierlike qualities this officer ranks among the best in the Australian Forces and is recommended for very high distinction.'
Date of honour or award	1916-12-31	Mention in Despatches.
Date of honour or award	1917-01-02	Mention in Despatches.
Date of honour or award	1917-02-04 - 1917-02-05	Awarded Victoria Cross. Murray's recomendation for this award stated 'Capt Murray commanded the Right flank Coy in the attack by the 13th Battn on Stormy Trench, N.E. of Guedecourt on night of 4-5/2/17. I placed him on the Right flank because it was the most dangerous and critical. He led his Coy 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 Battn 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 Coy 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 Coy, and in 24 hours the fighting strength dwindled steadily from 140 to 48, 92 casualties including 1 Officer killed and 2 Officers wounded. On one occasion the men gave ground for 20 yards but Capt Murray rused 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 was his example that not a single man in his Coy reported himself shell shocked although the shelling was frightful and the trench at times was a shambles that beggars discription [sic]. His Coy would follow him anywhere and die for him to a man. He won the D.C.M. at Anzac and the D.S.O. at Mouquet Farm in France. I most strongly recommend Capt Murray for the Victoria Cross.'
Date promoted	1917-04-18	Appointed temporary major.
Date of honour or award	1917-06-18	Bar to Distinguished Service Order.
Date promoted	1917-07-12	Confirmed major.
Date of honour or award	1917-11-07	Mention in Despatches.
Date of honour or award	1917-12-25	Mention in Despatches.
Other units	1918-03-08	Joined 4th Machine Gun Battalion.
Date promoted	1918-03-15	Appointed temporary lieutenant colonel and commanding officer 4th Machine Gun Battalion.
Date promoted	1918-05-24	Appointed lieutenant colonel.
Other units	1918-09-24 - 1918-10-02	Attached to the 2nd American Corps in the role of technical advisor.
Date of honour or award	1918-10-05	Awarded the French Criox de Guerre.
Date of honour or award	1919-05	Created Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
Date of honour or award	1919-07-11	Mention in Despatches.
Other	1920-01-01	Transferred to the Reserve of Officers
Date of discharge	1920-03-09	AIF appointment ended.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers)	1939-04-17	Transferred to the Reserve of Officers.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers)	1939-07-21	Returned to the Active List to command the 26th Battalion which performed coastal defence tasks in North Queensland until September 1942.
Other	1941-09-05	Returned to full time duty.
Other	1941-11-17 - 1941-11-22	Attended a Motor Transport course at Annerly.
Other units	1942-08-03	Seconded 23rd battalion Volunteer Defence Corps.
Other	1942-08-10	Relinquished command 26th Battalion
Other	1942-08-18	Transferred to the Reserve of Officers.
Other units	1942-08-19	Appointed in command of F group Volunteer Defence Corps.
Date of discharge	1944-02-07	Relinquished command F group Volunteer Defence Corps and retired from active military duty.
Other	1956	Attended Victoria Cross Centenary in London.
Date of death	1966-01-07	Died in hospital of a heart attack following a car accident in Miles, QLD.