Lieutenant Colonel Henry William (Harry) Murray

Service number 315, QX48850
Ranks Held Captain, Lance Corporal, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Private, Temporary Major
Birth Date 1880-12-01
Birth Place Australia: Tasmania, Launceston
Death Date 1966-01-07
Death Place Australia: Queensland, Miles
Final Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 13th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 13th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 13th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 13th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 13th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • Second World War, 1939-1945
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1917-03-10
Published in London Gazette in 1919-07-11
Published in London Gazette in 1916-11-14
Published in London Gazette in 1917-12-28
Published in London Gazette in 1919-06-03
Published in London Gazette in 1918-12-31
Published in London Gazette in 1917-01-04
Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-18
Published in London Gazette in 1915-08-05
Published in London Gazette in 1919-01-07
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-08-21
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1915-10-28
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-06-29
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-10-30
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-09-15
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-04-18
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-04-19
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-05-23
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-05-23
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
Description

Harry Murray was born at Launceston, Tasmania, on 1 December 1880. As a youth he helped run the family farm. He was also interested in the military and joined a militia unit, the Australian Field Artillery, in Launceston.

Murray moved to Western Australia at the age of 19 or 20 where he worked as a mail courier on the goldfields. When he enlisted in the AIF as a private on 30 September 1914, he was employing timber-cutters for the railways in the south west of Western Australia. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 as a member of one of the 16th Battalion's two machine-gun crews. Murray was wounded several times, spent June in hospital, was promoted to lance corporal on 13 May and won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery between 9-31 May. He was wounded again on 8 July and a month later experienced a remarkable series of promotions. On 13 August he was made a sergeant, commissioned second-lieutenant and transferred to the 13th Battalion.

By 1 March 1916 Murray had reached the rank of captain and soon after sailed for France with the 13th Battalion. On the Western Front Murray defied the statistics, participating in each of his unit's major actions and surviving. He received the Distinguished Service Order for his role in the fighting at Mouquet Farm, where he was twice wounded. His wounds kept Murray from the front until October.

Four months later, on the night of 4-5 February, Murray led his company's attack on Stormy Trench, near Gueudecourt. Over almost 24 hours they repelled counter-attacks, fought in merciless close quarter battles and suffered under intense shell-fire. Some 230 members of the Battalion were killed in the fight and Murray won the Victoria Cross.

In March 1918 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given command of the 4th machine gun battalion. He remained in this position until the end of the war. In April during the attack on Bullecourt Murray won a bar to his Distinguished Service Order. In October 1918 Murray was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and in May 1919 was promoted to CMG.

With the fighting over, Murray toured England studying agricultural methods. His service in the AIF ended on 9 March 1920 and he settled on a grazing property at Muckadilla in Queensland. The following year he married Constance Cameron, but the marriage lasted just a few years and in 1925 he moved to New Zealand where he married Ellen Cameron. The couple returned to Queensland in 1928 and purchased another grazing property at Richmond.

Murray enlisted for service during the Second World War and commanded the 26th Battalion in north Queensland until August 1942. He retired from the army in early 1944. Regarded as a shy and modest man, he was described as the most distinguished fighting officer of the AIF. Murray died of a heart attack following a car accident on 7 January 1966.

Rolls

  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    16th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lance Corporal
    London Gazette
    05 August 1915 on page 7702 at position 1
    Commonwealth Gazette
    28 October 1915 on page 2737 at position 66
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
    London Gazette
    10 March 1917 on page 2451 at position 1
    Commonwealth Gazette
    21 August 1917 on page 1781 at position 1
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
    London Gazette
    04 January 1917 on page 255 at position 38
    Commonwealth Gazette
    29 June 1917 on page 1393 at position 113
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
    London Gazette
    07 January 1919 on page 314 at position 2
    Commonwealth Gazette
    23 May 1919 on page 893 at position 37
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Temporary Major
    London Gazette
    18 June 1917 on page 5980 at position 5
    Commonwealth Gazette
    04 October 1917 on page 2628 at position 8
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Major
    London Gazette
    28 December 1917 on page 13566 at position 2
    Commonwealth Gazette
    18 April 1918 on page 843 at position 161
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
    London Gazette
    14 November 1916 on page 11043 at position 4
    Commonwealth Gazette
    19 April 1917 on page 920 at position 52
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
    London Gazette
    11 July 1919 on page 8833 at position 71
    Commonwealth Gazette
    30 October 1919 on page 1660 at position 108
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • First World War Nominal Roll:

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Company
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
  • First World War Embarkation Roll:

    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Private
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    13th Australian Infantry Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
    London Gazette
    31 December 1918 on page 15229 at position 28
    Commonwealth Gazette
    23 May 1919 on page 881 at position 85
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Lieutenant Colonel
    London Gazette
    03 June 1919 on page 6793 at position 12
    Commonwealth Gazette
    15 September 1919 on page 1370 at position 25

Timeline

Date of birth 01 December 1880 Launceston, Tasmania.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1902 Enlisted in the militia, Australian Field Artillery, Launceston.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 30 September 1914 Enlisted in the 16th Battalion, AIF, as a private.
Date of embarkation 22 December 1914
Other 25 April 1915 Landed at Gallipoli with the 16th Battalion.
Date promoted 13 May 1915 Appointed lance corporal.
Date wounded 30 May 1915 Wounded in action, recieved gun shot wound to right knee.
Date of honour or award 20 June 1915 Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery during actions between 9-31 May.
Date wounded 08 July 1915 Wounded in action, remained on duty.
Date commissioned 13 August 1915 Appointed sergeant, comissioned 2nd lieutenant and transferred to the 13th Battalion.
Other 26 September 1915 Arrived in Egypt from Gallpoli. Murray was evacuated from gallipoli due to a medical condition.
Other 07 December 1915 Returned to Gallipoli.
Date promoted 20 January 1916 Appointed lieutenant.
Date promoted 01 March 1916 Appointed captain.
Other 08 June 1916 The 13th Battalion arrived in France.
Date wounded 30 August 1916 Wounded in action, gun shot wound in left thigh and back.
Date of recommendation honour or award 03 September 1916
Date of honour or award 25 October 1916 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 31 December 1916 Mention in Despatches.
Date of honour or award 02 January 1917 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 of recommendation honour or award 05 February 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 07 February 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 16 April 1917
Date promoted 18 April 1917 Appointed temporary major.
Date of honour or award 18 June 1917 Bar to Distinguished Service Order.
Date promoted 12 July 1917 Confirmed major.
Date of honour or award 07 November 1917 Mention in Despatches.
Date of honour or award 25 December 1917 Mention in Despatches.
Other units 08 March 1918 Joined 4th Machine Gun Battalion.
Date promoted 15 March 1918 Appointed temporary lieutenant colonel and commanding officer 4th Machine Gun Battalion.
Date promoted 24 May 1918 Appointed lieutenant colonel.
Date of recommendation honour or award 17 September 1918
Other units 1918-09-24 - 1918-10-02 Attached to the 2nd American Corps in the role of technical advisor.
Date of recommendation honour or award 27 September 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 30 September 1918
Date of honour or award 05 October 1918 Awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
Date of recommendation honour or award 30 January 1919
Date of honour or award 1919-05 Created Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
Date of honour or award 11 July 1919 Mention in Despatches.
Date returned to Australia 26 November 1919
Other 01 January 1920 Transferred to the Reserve of Officers
Date of discharge 09 March 1920 AIF appointment ended.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers) 17 April 1939 Transferred to the Reserve of Officers.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers) 21 July 1939 Returned to the Active List to command the 26th Battalion which performed coastal defence tasks in North Queensland until September 1942.
Other 05 September 1941 Returned to full time duty.
Other 1941-11-17 - 1941-11-22 Attended a Motor Transport course at Annerly.
Other units 03 August 1942 Seconded 23rd Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps.
Other 10 August 1942 Relinquished command 26th Battalion
Other 18 August 1942 Transferred to the Reserve of Officers.
Other units 19 August 1942 Appointed in command of F group Volunteer Defence Corps.
Date of discharge 07 February 1944 Relinquished command F group Volunteer Defence Corps and retired from active military duty.
Other 1956 Attended Victoria Cross Centenary in London.
Date of death 07 January 1966 Died in hospital of a heart attack following a car accident in Miles, Queensland.