Memorial unveiled

By Maj Michael Harris
Volume 11, No. 38, March 8, 2006

Remembrance: Sculptor Peter Corlett helps Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery unveil the bronze statue of Lt-Col Harry Murray. Photo by Maj Michael Harris.

IN THE French village of Bullecourt, the valour of an Australian from WWI is remembered each year with a scholarship in his name awarded to a student of merit.

Although Lt-Col Henry William (Harry) Murray, VC, CMG, DSO and bar, DCM, Croix de Guerre, is the most decorated soldier in the Commonwealth, in Australia today he is relatively unknown.

Historian C.E.W. Bean called him “the most distinguished fighting officer in the AIF”.

Forty years after Murray’s death, a fitting tribute to him has been unveiled in the northern Tasmanian village of Evandale, near his birthplace.

A small band of volunteers spent the past two years fund-raising for the $85,000 bronze statue, unveiled by Governor-General Michael Jeffery on February 24.

Those present at the ceremony included Murray’s son Doug and daughter Clem Sutherland, Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson and Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon.

Maj-Gen Jeffrey said: “His repeated gallantry under the most horrific conditions of WWI – trench warfare, heavy machine-gun fire and incessant artillery bombardment, mud, lice and footrot – is the stuff of legend.

“His love and support of his soldiers and his personal humility are the endearing qualities of an exceptional man.”

In four years, Harry rose from the rank of private with 16 Bn AIF to command the 4th Machine Gun Bn as a lieutenant-colonel.