John Murray (general) facts for kids

John Joseph Murray (born 26 April 1892, died 8 September 1951) was an important Australian Army officer and businessman. He played a big part in both World War I and World War II. During World War I, he fought bravely in France and earned several medals. In World War II, he led the 20th Brigade, helping to defeat famous German forces in Libya.

John Murray's Early Life

John Joseph Murray was born in Sydney, Australia, on 26 April 1892. His father, also named John, was from Ireland, and his mother was Margaret.

After school, in 1910, John started working as a salesman for a company called Anthony Hordern & Sons. He also joined the Australian Citizens Military Forces, where he served for two years before joining the 33rd Regiment in 1913.

World War I Service

John Murray was already in the Australian Army when World War I began on 28 July 1914. He quickly became a Second Lieutenant on 6 March 1915. After this, Murray joined the Australian Imperial Force and traveled by ship to Egypt.

In March 1916, he joined the 53rd Battalion, which was part of the 5th Division. This division soon moved from Egypt to France, where they faced very tough fighting on the Western Front.

The Battle of Fromelles

On 19 July 1916, Murray's 53rd Battalion took part in the first major battle for the Australian Imperial Force on the Western Front. This was the Battle of Fromelles. The battle plan went wrong, and 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. The Australian War Memorial calls this battle "the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history."

Leadership and Medals

John Murray became a Major in June 1917. He became known for his excellent leadership and brave "night raiding," which meant secretly crossing into enemy trenches at night.

In September 1918, during the difficult Second Battle of the Somme, Murray's strong leadership was noticed again. After battles near Peronne, he was given the Distinguished Service Order medal for his bravery.

Murray was still fighting on the Western Front when peace was declared on 11 November 1918. He had earned the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, and his actions had been mentioned twice in official reports. He returned home to Australia in May 1919.

Between the World Wars

By 25 August 1919, all the soldiers from the Australian Imperial Force had returned home. Murray was happy to go back to his job at Anthony Hordern & Sons in Sydney. However, he didn't want to stop being a soldier, so he joined the Australian Citizens Military Forces again.

On 4 January 1923, John Murray married Mary Madeline Cannon in Sydney. Soon after, he became the manager of the delivery department at Anthony Hordern & Sons.

By 1925, Murray became a Lieutenant-Colonel. From 1934 to 1938, he was the Commanding Officer of the Australian Army Service Corps, 1st Division.

World War II Service

As another war approached, John Murray was given command of the 9th Infantry Brigade in February 1940. He was then chosen for the Second Australian Imperial Force in April 1940 and put in charge of the 20th Brigade. This brigade sailed to the Middle East in October 1940 to begin training in Palestine.

The Siege of Tobruk

Murray's brigade became part of the 9th Division. Even though the troops weren't fully ready, the 9th Division was sent to Libya to help the 6th Division capture Tobruk.

On 4 April 1941, the Afrika Korps (German forces led by Erwin Rommel) began fighting Murray's 20th Brigade. The Australians managed to slow down Rommel's forces, but there were too many Germans to push back. Murray and his troops moved into Tobruk itself. For his leadership during this time, John Murray was awarded a "bar" to his Distinguished Service Order, which is like getting a second medal for the same award.

Murray's experience with trench warfare and night raiding was very helpful to the soldiers defending Tobruk during the long siege. In November 1941, Murray was mentioned in official reports for the third time in his career because of his excellent resistance against Rommel.

Defending Australia

Murray returned to Australia in January 1942, just as Japan was fighting south towards New Guinea. Instead of the recruiting job he expected, Murray was put in charge of the Newcastle Covering Force in Newcastle and was immediately promoted to temporary Major-General.

The Newcastle Covering Force was soon renamed the 10th Division. In August 1942, Murray was sent to Western Australia to lead the 4th Division. This division was then moved to North Queensland in April and May 1943 because of worries about a Japanese invasion. In October 1944, he became General of the Rear Echelon at Mareeba. He then commanded the Northern Territory Force from March 1945 until January 1946, when he retired from the army.

After the War

After retiring from the army, John Murray became the Australian trade commissioner to New Zealand from 1946 to 1949. He then held the same role for Ceylon in 1949.

General John Murray died on 8 September 1951 at the Military Hospital in Concord, Sydney. He received a funeral with full military honors and was buried in French's Forest Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.