The AIF Project

Ivon George MURDOCH

Regimental number3184
Place of birthCamberwell, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressRiversdale Road, Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 9.5"
Weight163 lbs
Next of kinFather, Patrick J Murdoch, The Manse, Riversdale Road, Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for enlistment on account of varicose veins)
Enlistment date26 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name24th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/41/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 26 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 11 April 1918

Bar to Military Cross


Recommendation date: 18 August 1918

FateDischarged 27 September 1919
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when one of a raiding party. He led his men with skill, successfully attacked a "pill'box' killing twenty of the enemy and taking three prisoners. At another time he patrolled "No Man's Land" and penetrated the enemy's wire at all times of the night. He showed great courage and resource.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack north of Rosieres on 9th August 1918. He led both his own platoon and another silfully to the objective. He cleared the edge of Crepey Wood of machine guns, causing many casualties to the enemy. On 11th August, at Lihons, he again showed excellent leadership; he organized his final objective, and repulsed an enemy counter attack. Throughout the operations he set a fine example to all his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 8th Bn, Serapeum, 24 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 26 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 31 March 1916.

Joined Officer Cadet Bn, England, 2 August 1916; qualified for commission in Infantry Bn, and appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 23 October 1916.

Rejoined 8th Bn, France, 18 December 1916.

Promoted Lieutenant, 13 September 1917.

Attached for duty to 1st Division Headquarters, 12 January 1918; ceased attachment, 13 February 1918.

Detached to Australian Corps Gas School, 9 March 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 1 April 1918.

Wounded in action, 16 April 1918 (shrapnel wound, eye), and admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 15th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train, 17 April 1918, and admitted to St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, 18 April 1918; transferred to England, 20 April 1918, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth (eye wound: severe); discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 30 May 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 July 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 28 July 1918.

Awarded Military Cross.

Detached to Army School for Company Commanders, 30 August 1918; rejoined Bn, 1 October 1918.

Proceeded on leave, 1 January 1919; rejoined Bn from leave, 20 January 1919.

Embarked for England (duty, Army Headquarters), 28 February 1919.

On leave, United Kingdom, 27 February 1919.

Granted leave with pay and subs (Non-Military Employment), 11 March-11 September 1919, to study economics at the London School of Economics.

NME leave cancelled as from 11 June 1919.

Resigned appointment in the AIF (discharged), London, 27 September 1919, on being demobilised.

Medals: Military Cross & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsFirst given name incorrectly recorded on Embarkation roll as Ivan.
SourcesNAA: B2455, MURDOCH Ivon George

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.