Regimental number | 171 |
Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland |
School | Glasgow School, Scotland |
Age on arrival in Australia | 27 |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Musician |
Address | 20 Spring Street, Geelong West, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 30 |
Height | 5' 3.25" |
Weight | 130 lbs |
Next of kin | Sister, Mrs A. Faller, 20 Spring Street, Geelong West, Victoria |
Previous military service | Served for 12 years with 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry, British Army (part service in India). |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Geelong, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Lance Corporal |
Unit name | 8th Battalion, B Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/25/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 60th Battalion |
Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Capt Kerr of 60th Battalion said he was well liked and respected by both officers and men of his battalion. |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Fleurbaix, France |
Age at death | 34 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 34 |
Place of burial | No known grave |
Commemoration details | V.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 details | Soldier stated Geelong as place of birth on Attestation Form. |
Sources | NAA: B2455, MURRAY William
Red Cross File No 1870606 |