Collection relating to 2453 / VX81160 Captain Harold John Murray MC DCM

Studio portrait of VX81160 Captain Harold John Murray MC DCM.

A timber yard order man, from Leichhardt, NSW, Harold John Murray enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 11 May 1915. He joined the 2nd Battalion and embarked for Gallipoli in November 1915. The battalion moved to France in March 1916 and Murray was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant. On Aprol 1917, Sgt Murray was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for actions during an attack at Hermies. Towards the end of 1917, Sgt Murray transferred to England to participate in an officers training course, graduating as a Second Lieutenant on 1 June 1918. He returned to France, serving the rest of the war with the 2nd Battalion, before returning to Australia.

After the First World War, Murray moved to New Ireland, where he owned and operated plantations and traded in various goods. With the Japanese invasion of the island in 1942, Murray, along with many others, escaped to Papua.

Returning to Australia, Murray re-enlisted on 4 August 1942 and joined Z Special Unit with the rank of Lieutenant. In May 1943, he transferred to M Special Unit and was soon promoted to Captain. Over the course of the war, Capt Murray was involved in many secret and intelligence missions to the Australian Mandated Territory. For his actions on such missions, Capt Murray was awarded the Military Cross and US Silver Star. He was also involved in establishing the special forces training camp in Queensland.

After the war, Murray returned to live in New Ireland, before retiring to Queensland with his wife, Mary Murray, in 1960. Harry Murray died 33 October 1968.