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     Museum staff are working through issues associated with reopening due to the museum being located on a working military base.
   Army Museum of New South Wales
    Harold John Murray, MC, DCM (1898 – 1968)

1898. Harold John (Harry) Murray was born on 13^th November at Bowral, New South Wales.

1915-1916. A Timber Yard Order Man living in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, Harry Murray enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in May 1915. After training and movement overseas, he joined the 2^nd Infantry Battalion, AIF in November 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

1916-1917. Harry moved with his battalion to France in March 1916 for operations on the Western Front, was promoted to Corporal in February 1917 then Temporary Sergeant in April 1917. His rank of Sergeant was made substantive in June 1917.

On 9 April 1917 he took charge of his platoon when both his Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant were wounded during an attack at Hermies in the Pas de Calais Department, northern France. He led the platoon directly to its objective with determination and vigour for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Harry moved to England towards the end of 1917 to undertake a pre-commissioning course for officers.

1918. Harry graduated as a Second Lieutenant on 1 June 1918, returned to the 2^nd Battalion in France and served with the battalion for the remainder of the First World War.

Inter-war years. In 1921 Harry Murray moved to New Ireland where he operated copra and coffee plantations and also traded in timber and mineral water. He escaped with others to Papua when Japanese forces invaded New Ireland in January 1942.

1942-1943. He re-enlisted in the AIF at Caulfield, Victoria in August 1942 and was posted to 'Z' Special Unit with the rank of Lieutenant. In May 1943 he transferred to 'M' Special Unit with the rank of Captain. After establishing a special forces training camp in south-east Queensland, he departed Australia in October 1943 for service in Australian Mandated Territory in the Pacific region to report on Japanese movements.

1944-1945. On 8 March 1945 Harry Murray was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. The recommendation reads – ‘During the period 29 October 1943 to 30 November 1943 this officer by his exemplary leadership, courage and devotion to duty successfully established a party consisting of himself six AIF Other Ranks and eight native police in enemy controlled territory. He was responsible for securing and sending back important intelligence of great value to GHQ.

Captain Murray also led a party of US marines on a secret mission, the party being subsequently ambushed by the enemy who used LMGs. As a result of Captain Murray's leadership and coolness in the face of the enemy having superior numbers, three of the latter were killed, some wounded and the remainder put to flight. One LMG was captured. Extremely valuable information was secured during this period of the operation.’

Also, at a parade of American and Australian troops on 25 April 1945 at Torokina, South Bougainville Island, he was presented by the Commander 1^st United States Marine Aircraft Wing with the US Silver Star. The citation reads - 'For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during operations against the enemy. By his grim determination, brilliant leadership and daring aggressiveness, Captain Murray overcame almost insurmountable difficulties and contributed materially to our operations in the South Pacific Area. For the President (Sgd.) James Forrestal. Secretary of the Navy'.

Post-war. Harry Murray was formally presented with the Military Cross on 28 April 1948 at Kavieng, New Ireland by the Administrator of Papua New Guinea. At the time, he was again living on the island. He retired to Queensland in 1960. Harry’s wife, Mary authored two books about his exploits during the Second World War. One of the books, Escape: a thousand miles to freedom, was published in 1965 and the other, Hunted: a Coastwatcher's story, was published in 1967.

1968. Harry Murray passed away on 22 October 1968 aged 69 at Innisfail, Queensland.