Historically, however, he is commonly known as the most highly decorated infantry soldier of the British Empire during World War I.

Born at Evandale in 1880, Mad Harry led a life of service. While he would mostly be remembered for his many accomplishments on the battlefield, his story truly became entrenched in history on February 4 and 5, 1917.

He was leading a night attack on a German position known as Stormy Trench near Gueudecourt in France.

Through his actions, Murray’s company was able to capture the position and fight back three savage counter-attacks. For this, Lt-Col Murray was awarded a Victoria Cross – one of the many honours he received.

Throughout his service, he was also awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, the French Croix de guerre, the Distinguished Service Order and Bar and was Mentioned in Despatches four times.

After World War I, he re-enlisted for service in World War II before taking his discharge in 1944 and returning to Queensland where he had bought a grazing farm.

Tragically, he died of a heart attack after a car crash near Condamine in western Queensland in 1966. He was 85-years-old and survived by his son Douglas and daughter Clementine. His life may have ended, but his story continues to be told. In 1997, there were suggestions of changing Launceston Airport to Murray Airport. 

Evandale RSL president at the time, David Von Stieglitz, said in The Examiner that “we should honour him in some way”. While the airport’s name remained as it was, the Murray Memorial Room was established at the Evandale Community Centre. In 2006, 40 years after his death, a statue of Lt-Col Murray was placed at Evandale.

The statue was unveiled by the former Governor- General, Major General Michael Jeffery. Covering the event, The Examiner quoted Maj-Gen Jeffery, who stated he was “in awe of Lt-Col Murray’s battlefield achievements”.

“His love and support of his soldiers and his personal humility are the endearing qualities of an exceptional man,” Maj-Gen Jeffery said at the time.

It was not the first or last time the legendary soldier was referred to as a humble hero. In 2017, Evandale History Society chairman Laurie Wotherspoon shared an example of Murray’s humility during an interview with The Examiner.

He said Murray was offered a knighthood in 1952 but refused it because he “didn’t go to war for recognition”.

Organising a ceremony to commemorate 100 years since Murray received his VC, Mr Wotherspoon described him as a true hero whose “men would follow him anywhere”.

“He wouldn’t leave men behind, dead or alive. On one occasion he carried people back himself just to make sure they were back in Australian lines,” he said.

“He was also one of those men that planned meticulously, if he knew he had to attack somewhere he would have been out there the night before.”