Henry William “Harry” Murray will forever be remembered for his heroic actions on the battlefield.
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On Wednesday, his memory was honoured during a special service at his hometown of Evandale.
His journey began when he was a young man serving in the Launceston Voluntary Artillery Corps.
After enlisting as a private at the beginning of World War One, he worked his way up the ranks and became Lieutenant Colonel Murray.
He became known for his humility and leadership, but it was when he was awarded a Victoria Cross in February 1917 that he became a true legend.
Lt-Col Murray earned his VC after successfully leading a night attack against a German position known as Stormy Trench near Gueudecourt in France.
Through his actions, his company was able to capture the position and fight back three savage counter-attacks.
The VC was one of many honours he received and he is now known as Australia’s most decorated soldier.
Lt-Col Murray was also awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, the French Croix de guerre, the Distinguised Shervice Order and Bar and was Mentioned in Despatches four times.
He re-enlisted for service in World War II and was discharged in 1944.
Members of the Murray family took part in the ceremony at Evandale this week, to mark 100 years since he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Speaking at the event was Doug Baird, father of the late Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG who was the most recent recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Corporal Baird was one of only two Australians to receive both a Victoria Cross and a Medal for Gallantry.
Mr Baird said he felt honoured to participate in the service.
“As a family we feel very humbled to be able to do this, to come back to a state where Cameron was born and to have an opportunity to show our respect to Harry Murray and his family members,” Mr Baird said.
“These are Australian legends and the story of Harry has been told for many years and more recently the story of Cameron is being told. We are terribly humbled by the fact that people show a total respect for these men and as soldiers, that’s all they could ever expect.”
Also attending the centenary service was Liberal Lyons MP Guy Barnett, who shared the stories of both Lt-Col Murray and CPL Baird in his book Our Heroes Tasmania’s Victoria Cross Recipients.
“Honouring those who served our country and those who epitomised the values of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice is of great importance,” he said.