The AIF Project

William MURRAY

Regimental number171
Place of birthGlasgow, Scotland
SchoolGlasgow School, Scotland
Age on arrival in Australia27
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationMusician
Address20 Spring Street, Geelong West, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation30
Height5' 3.25"
Weight130 lbs
Next of kinSister, Mrs A. Faller, 20 Spring Street, Geelong West, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed for 12 years with 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry, British Army (part service in India).
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Place of enlistmentGeelong, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentLance Corporal
Unit name8th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularCapt Kerr of 60th Battalion said he was well liked and respected by both officers and men of his battalion.
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFleurbaix, France
Age at death34
Age at death from cemetery records34
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 19), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
170
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Hugh and Christina MURRAY. Native of Glasgow, Scotland
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 5 April 1915.

Wounded in action, 25 April 1915 (gun shot wound, upper back); admitted to 15th General Hospital, Alexandria, 25 April 1915; transferred to Convalescent Depot, Mustapha, 5 May 1916; discharged to duty, 14 May 1915.

Embarked Alexandria for Gallipoli, 16 May 1915; rejoined 8th Bn, 21 May 1915.

Promoted Sergeant, 13 August 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Transferred to 60th Bn, 24 February 1916.

Found guilty, 12 March 1916, of leaving guard without lawful excuse: reprimanded.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported Missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 1870606: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.'

Statement, 2896 Pte C.P.G. MAYHEW, B Company, 60th Bn, 28 February 1917: 'He was badly wounded at Fleurbaix in the charge on 19th. July and died singing "Bonnie Mary of Argyle". This was his favourite song. I heard it being sung by him some distance off. A number of other men saw him die as he sung.'

Second statement, 2793 Pte J.G. BLAIR, D Company, 60th Bn (patient, No 2 General Hospital [Palais], Havre), 12 April 1917: 'He was killed at Fleurbaix during an attack. As he was dying he sang "Goodbye my bonnie Maggie Darling" and expired shortly after. Sergt. Major Bentley of B Co., told me that he saw him killed and heard him singing.'

Third statement, 3666 Lance Corporal N.T. BECK (patient, No 10 General Hospital, Rouen), 16 June 1917: 'He fell on the 19th July in No Man's Land at Fromelles whilst singing his favourite song "Ta-ta, my Bonnie Maggie Darling" ... Informant added that a finer man than Murray never lived and that wherever he went the sunshine went with him.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsSoldier stated Geelong as place of birth on Attestation Form.
SourcesNAA: B2455, MURRAY William
Red Cross File No 1870606

Print format    


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