James Richard Parry (Dick) Murray
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Oct 1899 |
| Place of Birth | Workington, Cumberland, England |
| Death | 13 Mar 1948 |
| Place of Death | Inglewood, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'3½" (1.61m) tall ; 107lbs 48.534 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Salesman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Station street, East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Thomas Murray |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7325 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Jan 1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcement transferred to 51st Battalion. |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Mar 1918 ‒ 4 Apr 1918 |
| Ship Embarked On | RMS Ormonde Fremantle to Suez |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Apr 1918 ‒ 15 May 1918 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMT Ellenga Port Tewfik to Southampton |
| Date of Return | 3 Sep 1919 ‒ 17 Oct 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A37 Barambah |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals | British War Medal |
Pre War
Emigrated from Liverpool to Australia with family in 1912.
War Service
Entered camp on 22 Jan 1917, and three days later, perhaps due to his age and statue he was allocated to the Camp Band. On 12 Dec 1917 he was allocated to a training company, and required two days treatment in the camp hospital for Epididymitis from 17 - 18 Dec 1917. On 2 Feb 1918 he was allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, travelling with them to England on RMS Ormonde.
On arrival in Southampton, England he was sent to the 5th Training Battalion at Fovant, and on 4 Jun 1918 while at Codford he was transferred to the 12th Training Battalion as a reinforcement for the 51st Battalion. Reported AWOL from 9 Jul 1918 until 17 Jul 1918, the case against him was dismissed on medical grounds at Tidworth Headquarters.
At Hurdcott he was AWOL from midnight 19 Sep 1918 until he reported back at 5:20am on 25 Sep 1918, for which he was awarded the loss of 12 day's pay, in addition to the 6 days he was absent. On 5 Oct 1918 he was absent from the 7:20am parade, despite being warned, and for this he was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeiture of 7 day's pay.
Finally on 25 Jan 1919 he proceeded overseas to France via Southampton, and on 2 Feb 1919 was taken on strength by the 51st Battalion, remaining with them until 10 May 1919 when he began the process of returning to Australia, disembarking at Southampton in England on 21 May 1919.
Posted to Hurdcott he was soon AWOL again, from midnight 9 Jun 1919 until 4:00pm 12 Jun 1919, for which the price was a loss of 7 day's pay. On 3 Jul 1919 he transferred to Sutton Veny, for the last two months before returning to Australia. Discharged at 5th Military District on 10 Nov 1919.
Post War
In 1922 married Lena Myrtle Stanley. They had 2 daughters (Nellie Myrtle 1923 - 1973) and 2 sons. Electoral Roll entries:1925 at Elizabeth street, East Cannington, labourer;1931 Welshpool, labourer; 1943 at 140 Crawford road, Maylands, pump attendant.
Notes