Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Police Station, Sea Lake, Victoria

Hailing from Merton, the pastoral district north of Alexandria, Norman McMurray was born, on 4 July 1890, a son of James McMurray, however his birth is not registered at Births Deaths Marriages Victoria.

Appointed, on 21 November 1913, to the Victoria Police Force, 23 years of age, 48o Lygon Street, East Brunswick, grocer, Norman McMurray, upon graduation he was sent to Russell Street Police Station for foot duty on 7 January 1914.

Remaining, until 6 August 1914, Constable Norman McMurray transferred to the depot for mounted police training and duty. Transferring, on 1 March 1915, to Sea Lake, Mounted Constable Norman McMurray, on 27 March 1916, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, producing discharge papers to the effect he served 30 days with the 60 Infantry Battalion, resigning upon his Victoria Police Force appointment.

Becoming a driver, with the 8 Australian Field Artillery Brigade 3 Divisional Ammunition Column, Norman McMurray, in April 1916, transferred to a bombardier position with 23 Division Australian Howitzer Brigade 103 Battery. Raised, in March 1916, Howitzer Brigades for each division comprised 12 x 4.5 inch howitzers each. However, due to supply constraints, as well as other considerations, the Howitzer Brigades were dispersed among the Field Artillery Brigades.

Embarking, on 20 May 1916, from Melbourne aboard HMAT A7 Medic, Norman McMurray was appointed sergeant with 23 Australian Field Artillery Brigade.
Arriving, on 18 July 1916, in Plymouth, England, following further training, on 31 December 1916, Sergeant Norman McMurray embarked overseas to France, being transferred in the field, on 6 January 1917, to 8 Australian Field Artillery Battalion.

Recapturing Western Front German defences on the ridge running from Ploegstreet Wood in the south, through the Mesen [Messines] and Wytschaete villages, to Mt Sorrel, the British deprived the German Army of the high ground.
Granting commanding views of the British defences, as well as Ypres to the north, the British intention being to launch an advance to Passchendaele Ridge, prior to capturing the Belgium coast up to the Dutch frontier.

Leading up to the Battle of Messines [7-14 June 1917], on 4 June 1917, whilst his battery position under heavy shelling, Sergeant Norman McMurray, although badly shaken after being partially buried by an exploding 8.2” shell, removed a wounded comrade to a place of safety. Returning, he assisted to extinguish fires, burning amongst ammunition, under continuous, heavy shell fire.

London Gazette dated 14 August 1917 recorded for conspicuous service, His Majesty the King graciously awarded Sergeant Norman McMurray a Military Medal for bravery in the field, the fact being promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 19, of 20 December 1917.

Preliminary to the Battle of Menin Road 20 – 25 September 1917], on 12 September 1917, Sergeant Norman McMurray, although wounded in action [gassed], remained on duty. Three days following, however, on 15 September 1917, again he was wounded in action [gassed]. Requiring hospitalisation, Norman McMurray returned to unit on 17 November 1917.

Being appointed, on 6 May 1918, Battery Sergeant Major Norman McMurray remained in the midst of warfare. In March and April 1918, the battalion assisting in halting the German spring offensive; later participating in the Allies' own offensive, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as "the black day of the German Army in this war".

Continuing operations until late September 1918, at 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919.

In November 1918 members of the AIF began returning home for demobilisation and discharge. However, during this late 1918 - early 1919 period, Norman McMurray underwent a prolonged period of hospitalisation due to influenza.

Assigned, on 3 February 1919, HQ administration duties, on 26 February 1919, Battery Sergeant Major Norman McMurray, attended London School of Arts, Strathford Studios, London, until 20 October 1919. Followed by a 31 October 1919 to 30 May 1920 extended leave without pay whilst on business in London.
Whilst it has not been established the nature of the education Norman McMurray received other Australian servicemen, including Corporal Ashley Cooper, from 2 May 1919 to 2 August 1919, studied drawing and designing at the institution. Previously a clerk, Ashley Cooper, at the time of his attendance was serving with 55 Australian Infantry Battalion.

Returning to Australia, on 27 March 1920, Battery Sergeant Major Norman McMurray, on 30 October 1919, was granted leave, leading to his 19 July 1920 discharge at 3 Military District, Melbourne.

Immediately returning to the Victoria Police Force, Mounted Constable Norman McMurray MM was appointed to the Mounted Branch, however, resigned on 6 October 1920.

Corresponding, on 24 April 1936, from RKO Radio Pictures [Australia] Limited, Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Art Director Norman McMurray provided an answer to his post-Victoria Police employment. Seaforth, located 12 kilometres north-east of Sydney, more particularly 89 Clontarf Street, was the 25 July 1962 final corresponding address of Victoria Police Veteran Norman McMurray MM.