Henry William Murray
Captain, 13th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force
- Register No.
- 905 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 13th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force (register: 13th Battalion, AIF) all AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 4–5 February 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 10th March 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 30th December, 1884 at Launceston, Tasmania
- Died
- 7th January 1966 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- Mount Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Digest of citation
Captain Murray, in command of the right flank company, led his assault with great skill and quickly captured the position. Fierce fighting followed and the company under Captain Murray's leadership managed to repel three heavy counter-attacks. They suffered heavy casualties during the night, caused by heavy enemy shellfire, forciong them, on one occasion, to give ground for a short distance. Captain Murray rallied his men and saved the situation. With bravery and determination he encouraged his men by heading bombing parties and bayonet charges and by getting the wounded to a place of safety. Throughout the action he set a fine example and showed conspicuous bravery
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MURRAY, Henry William. (reg No. 905).
Captain. 13th Battalion. * Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 10th March 1917.
Born on 30th December, 1884 at Launceston, Tasmania.
Died on 7th January 1966 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Memorial at Mount Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: Captain Murray, in command of the right flank company, led his assault with great skill and quickly captured the position. Fierce fighting followed and the company under Captain Murray's leadership managed to repel three heavy counter-attacks. They suffered heavy casualties during the night, caused by heavy enemy shellfire, forciong them, on one occasion, to give ground for a short distance. Captain Murray rallied his men and saved the situation. With bravery and determination he encouraged his men by heading bombing parties and bayonet charges and by getting the wounded to a place of safety. Throughout the action he set a fine example and showed conspicuous bravery.
* New South Wales.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Murray was created a Companion of St Michael and St George (C M G). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM).
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Murray was created a Companion of St Michael and St George (C M G). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (DCM).
* New South Wales.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Mount Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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