In the 18th and 19th century, Britain wanted to rid it shores of its mostly poor criminal class so they chose Terra Australis for their dumping ground.
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Harry Murray’s great grandparents, Ann White, (transported in 1790 on the hellish Neptune, labelled the ‘death ship’) and Kennedy Murray Snr survived many ordeals of hardships and turmoil on their harrowing ocean journey to Botany Bay, life on Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s Land.
But given the opportunity in a new land, with resolve, tenacity and determination, they rose up from the poor convict status to become honest and productive citizens of the new colony.
This flowed through to their children and descendants. Their great grandson, Harry Murray VC is testimony of their courage and achievements.
Lt. Colonel Henry (Harry) William Murray, VC CMG DSO and Bar DCM Croix de Guerre avec Toile de Vermeil, Mentioned in Dispatches 4 Times. Plus specialist advisor to the 11 American Corps’ attack on the Hindenburg Line
Lt. Colonel Henry (Harry) William Murray, VC CMG DSO and Bar DCM Croix de Guerre avec Toile de Vermeil, Mentioned in Dispatches 4 Times. Plus specialist advisor to the 11 American Corps’ attack on the Hindenburg Line
When a shy 22-year-old Harry Murray started his military career in the Launceston Field Artillery (militia) nobody could imagine that he would become a hero to other heroes.
He was born near Evandale on December, 1, 1880 and before leaving for adventure on the Goldfields in Western Australia, he worked on his parents’ farm.
He enlisted in 1914 in Western Australia as a private and by 1918 was a Lt. Colonel in command of his own machine gun battalion that took part in the famous Battle of Hamel (some historians claim this was the turning point of WW1).
The official history of the 16th Battalion reports:
“To Murray belongs the honour of rising within three and a half years from a machine-gun private to the command of a machine-gun battalion of 64 guns, and of receiving more fighting decorations than any other infantry soldier in the British Army in the Great War — rewards and decorations every one of them richly deserved”.
With the 16th Battalion he landed on April, 25, 1915, at Gallipoli and immediately went into action as a machine gunner on Pope’s Hill. He and his mate, Percy Black with skill and determination were instrumental in repelling the Turkish counter attack from the rear flank — the Turks wanted to push the British (Anzacs) back into the sea and the Anzacs were desperately trying to hold onto their narrow strip of land. He was involved in most of the major encounters with the Turks and earned a DCM.
On the Somme in France he continued to show resolve and fortitude under great pressure and difficult circumstance. But what the other diggers noticed about Harry Murray was his mateship, leadership skills, stoicism, respect for discipline, the care for the well being of his men and his unwavering bravery, so much so that it was considered that nobody could be that brave so he must be mad, hence the title, ‘Mad Harry’.
He received the VC for his actions on February 4 and 5, 1917 at Stormy Trench, Gueudecout, France. After a bloody attack the position was captured and during a 48 hour battle, three severe counter attacks by the enemy were beaten off.
“By sheer valour he made his presence felt throughout the line, encouraging his men, heading bombing parties, leading bayonet charges and carrying wounded to safety. His magnificent example inspired his men throughout”. (London Gazette; March 10, 1917)
Once again on the Western Front he took part in many of the minor and major battles against the Germans and was as a consequence wounded several times. On returning to Australia on the same ship as General Birdwood and General Monash, Harry Murray VC was given a heroes welcome.
The news papers at the time reported that Murray was carried by the Diggers through the streets of Fremantle to applause, whistles and cheers showing their appreciation of his amazing exploits.
A genuinely retiring man who shunned the limelight he became a grazier and family man on his property in Richmond, Queensland.
To honour the military feats of this great Anzac, a bronze statue of him in action at ‘Stormy Trench’, was unveiled by the Governor General in 2006 in the main street of Evandale, Tasmania.
