Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Hon. James MURDOCH, M.L.C. of Craigow, Cambridge.

KILLED IN ACTION
LIEUT. W. MURDOCH.
Upon their arrival at Burnie last night from Zeehan the Public Works Committee met at the Bay View Hotel, when the chairman (Hon. E. Mulcahy) formerly announced to the members of the committee that a colleague, the Hon. James Murdoch, M.L.C. had received news just before leaving Zeehan of the death of his son in active service in France. No particulars had come to hand, but he wished to express the committee's sympathy with Mr. Murdoch. Hon. A. Hean, M.H.A., moved the following resolution, which was carried by those present standing in silence as a token of respect:— "That the committee have learned with profound regret of the death in action of Lieut. William Murdoch, a son of, our esteemed colleague, and desire to extend to the Hon. James Murdoch and his family their sincere and very deep sympathy in their heavy bereavement."

Lieut. W. Murdoch was only 28 years, of age, and followed the occupation of a farmer in the Cambridge district. Some years ago he passed the cadets,  and worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant, and was later drafted to the Light Horse. He was attached to D Company, 26th Battalion, 7th Brigade,  although he was orginally a member of the famous 3rd Light Horse Brigade, which at Gallipoli went to the trenches as infantry. 

In sporting circles he was prominent, and his prowess as a footballer is well known on the Coast, he having played for some time with Canaore. At the various shows he was to the front in organising the military events and to use the term of one who had known him for many years was "a great favorite with everybody."

Our sympathy goes out to Hon. James Murdoch in the loss of his son, Lieut. William Murdoch, of the 26th Battalion, who was killed in action on June 1  in France. His dashing riding will be missed at our future shows. The Cananore Football Club also loses a fine exponent of the game amongst their  forwards, and have cancelled their Huon trip owing to his death. By the latest account he was in a bombing section. His elder brother is also very ill in  France.

Lieutenant Murdoch was 28 years of age and was the second son of Hon. Jas. Murdoch, M.L.C., of Craigow, Cambridge, to go on active service, having  been preceded by his eldest brother John. He had served for some years in the Light Horse before the war broke out and was well known us a bold and  fearless horseman. He was a successful rider over hurdles. Lieutenant Murdoch was also well-known as a footballer. For several seasons he was one of  the mainstays of the Richmond team, and he also played regularly with Cananore for some time. He also represented Southern Tasmania on several  occasions. As a footballer and rider and in other capacities he was very widely known, and he was universally popular.