Harry Murray

Harry Murray
Lieutenant Colonel Harry Murray, 1919
Born	1880 Evandale, Tasmania, Australia
Died	1966 Queensland, Australia
Occupation(s)	Soldier, grazier
Known for	Most decorated infantry soldier of the British Empire in the First World War
Spouse(s)	Ellen Waugh (m. 1927)
Children	2

Harry Murray (1880–1966) was an Australian soldier who rose from private to lieutenant colonel during the First World War. He became the most highly decorated infantry soldier in the British Empire of that conflict.[1]

Murray enlisted as a private in 1914 and first served with the 16th Battalion at Gallipoli, where he operated machine-guns with his close comrade Percy Black. Both men landed on 25 April 1915 and helped repel Turkish attacks at Pope’s Hill. Their actions earned them each the Distinguished Conduct Medal.[2]

Promoted to officer rank, Murray served in France from 1916, commanding A Company of the 13th Battalion. During the fighting at Gueudecourt on 4 February 1917, he led his men in repeated bayonet charges and bombing parties despite illness and heavy counter-attacks. His company was reduced from 140 to 48 men. For his courage and leadership he received the Victoria Cross.[3]

At the First Battle of Bullecourt in April 1917, Murray again distinguished himself. His friend Percy Black was killed in this action while leading his men through wire under heavy fire. Murray survived the disastrous assault, during which the 4th Brigade suffered severe losses. He later received a bar to his Distinguished Service Order.[4]

In March 1918, Murray was appointed lieutenant colonel in command of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. He led the unit through the campaigns of 1918, receiving the French Croix de Guerre and being appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. By war’s end, he had been awarded the Victoria Cross, CMG, DSO and Bar, DCM, Croix de Guerre, and had been Mentioned in Despatches four times.[5]

Murray returned to Australia in 1919 to a hero’s welcome. In the 1920s he settled on Glenlyon Station, a grazing property in Queensland. He married Ellen Waugh in 1927, with whom he had two children, Douglas and Clementine.[6]

During the Second World War, Murray commanded the 23rd Queensland Regiment, though he did not serve overseas. He lived a quiet life on his property, avoiding public life and rarely speaking about his wartime experiences. Murray died in 1966 as the result of a car accident.[7]

References

1. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.28
2. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.29
3. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.30
4. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.31
5. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.32
6. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.30
7. David Chalk, ''The Great Harry Murray'', 2006, p.31