Victory Medal: Lieutenant James Edward Murray, 55th Battalion , AIF

Victory Medal. Impressed edge with recipient's details.

Born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1887, James Edward Murray attended Kogarah Superior School then studied modern languages at Sydney University, before joining the New South Wales Education Department in 1904. He first taught at Sydney Boys' High, as well as instructing their Junior Cadets between 1910 and 1912.

Murray was awarded a travelling scholarship for the years 1913-1915 to further his language skills. He studied in Berlin, Paris and London, and taught at the College de Normandie before returning to teaching in Sydney.

Murray enlisted in the AIF on 1 February 1916 and was initially posted a private to reinforcements for 17th Battalion. He was soon selected for officer training and attended No. 2 Officer's School at the Royal Military College, Duntroon between 19 June and 30 July. Murray was commissioned a second lieutenant and posted to the 7th Reinforcements for 55th Battalion. The unit sailed from Sydney on 25 October, and arrived in England on 28 December. Further training took place before Murray finally joined his battalion at Noreuil, France on 23 May 1917.

Because of his skill with languages Murray was appointed the battalion's intelligence officer. In September he was posted intelligence officer to 14th Infantry Brigade's Headquarters. Between February and April 1918 Murray attended a War Office Intelligence Course in London before being posted intelligence officer to 5th Division Headquarters until the end of the war. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his work with the Division. The recommendation for the award reads: 'For good work and devotion to duty as Intelligence Officer, 5th Australian Division, during the period 14th September, 1918 to 11 November 1918./ During the battles of PERONNE and the HINDENBERG LINE, it was mainly due to Lieut. MURRAY's arrangement of Intelligence Personnel and his method of interrogation of prisoners, that accurate and early information of the enemy's strength, dispositions and identification, was obtained./ Lieut. MURRAY has done consistent good work since joining the Division in April last.'

At the end of November 1918 Murray was appointed aide-de-camp to Lieutenant General Sir Talbot Hobbs. Following Hobbs’ return to Australia in May 1919, Murray was given leave to attend courses at the Sorbonne in Paris to further his French language skills. He returned to Australia in September and the following year resumed teaching, at Fort Street Boys' School. Murray served as Headmaster of Taree High School between 1921 and 1933, of Cessnock High School between 1934 and 1937, and Parramatta High School between 1938 and 1942. In 1943 he was appointed Schools Inspector for Modern Languages.