Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Henry Mortimer Muirhead was born on the 31st of July 1885, the son of Charles Mortimer Muirhead and Margaret Sarah Robb, at Glenelg (SA Birth Registration 359/431). His father, Mr C.M. Muirhead, was a prominent Adelaide solicitor.

Schooling

Henry was educated at St Peter's College, passing his Preliminary Examinations in April 1900, Junior Examinations (1901), Senior Examinations with Honours (1903) and Special Senior Examinations in March 1904. While at St Peter’s College, Henry competed in three Intercollegiate Football matches against P.A.C. (1901-1903). He was vice captain in 1902 and captain in 1903.

Henry and his brother, John, rowed for the St Peter’s College. Henry rowed in the Summer Regatta (1900-1902) and Inter-Collegiate Boat races against Geelong Grammar (1901-1903). In February 1904 Henry rowed in the SA Rowing Association Champion Eight Oar Race for the Adelaide Rowing Club.

He also competed in College Sports (1901-2nd Senior High Jump, 1902-3rd in Steeplechase, 1903-coming second to HM Jay for the College Cup and Inter-Collegiate Sports (1903), winning the 300 yards Steeplechase.

Henry was also a Cadet for two years while at St. Peter’s College.

Adelaide University

Henry commenced studying law at Adelaide University in 1904 and he gained his Final Certificate in Law in 1909.

University Sport

Rowing
Henry rowed for the Adelaide University, competing in three Intervarsity competitions in 1904 (at Melbourne), 1905 (at Adelaide) and 1907 (at Melbourne). He also rowed for the University in Regattas and SA Rowing Association Champion Eight Oar Races during that period. He also swam in the IBM Baths, amateur swimming races in February 1905.

Football
Henry represented the University in three Intervarsity Football matches (1904-1906). He also played in the University versus Combined Colleges match in August 1905, the University versus Melbourne Scotch College in July 1906 and in the Adelaide and Suburban Association competition in the 1906 season.

Early Career and Interests

Henry was admitted to the Bar in May 1909. He became managing clerk to Messrs. McLachlan and Napier. Two years later he was appointed clerk of arraigns and third associate at the Supreme Court. He was appointed Registrar of the Court of Industrial Appeals and on the constitution of the Industrial Court in 1913 he became Industrial Registrar. He held that position until he enlisted in August 1917.

Henry continued his interest in rowing and rowed with the Adelaide Rowing Club after leaving University. He acted as an official at the Inter-collegiate, Intervarsity and SA Rowing Association rowing competitions. In 1914 -15, Henry was a vice-captain of the Adelaide Rowing Club and from 1915-17, he was the Captain of the Club. In January 1913 Henry competed in the Adelaide Rowing Club annual swimming races. His enlistment record also indicated that he was a member of the Law Rifle Club.

In February 1914 Henry became engaged to Kathleen Isabel Butler, the fourth daughter of Sir Richard Butler of Medindie, the former Premier of South Australia, however the engagement was broken, as Kathleen (born 1891) would later marry Richard Francis HOCKEY in 1918.

World War I

In October 1916 Henry was appoined a temporary Lieutenant in the 80th (Gawler) Infantry and he enlisted as a Private in the 10th Battalion, AIF on the 6th of Aug 1917. He was 32 years of age, 5’ 11”, 193 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He was ‘entrained’ on the 27th of October 1917 to Melbourne for embarkation. He embarked from Melbourne onboard the H.M.A.T. A60 Aeneas and was acting Sergeant for the voyage only. He was taken on the strength 10th Battalion as a Private on 27th of November 1917.

Henry landed at the Port of Le Havre, France on 1st of April 1918. He had periods as an Acting Corporal and Temporary Corporal. Henry was ill with influenza in June and July 1918 and was in hospital in France and England, however he returned to France on the 30th of October 1918. He returned to Australian on the vessel City of Poona while again acting as a Sergeant on the voyage only. He reverted to a Private on his return to Australia and was discharged on the 5th of June 1919.

Post-World War I

Henry returned to his pre-war position as Registrar of the SA Industrial Court. He rejoined the Adelaide Rowing Club and was the Club Captain (1919-20) and in August 1920 he was elected to the SA Rowing Association Committee. In 1923 Henry was appointed a stipendiary magistrate for the south east circuit and he undertook that role at Mt Gambier, Renmark & District, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Mannum, Berri, Loxton, Bordertown, Tailem Bend and other courts.

In November 1926 Henry was appointed S.M. to the No 2 Police Court in Adelaide. In addition, Henry also acted as the SA Coroner. In December 1933 Henry was appointed Police Magistrate (P.M.), succeeding Mr E.M. Sabine who had reached retirement age.

Henry was a recipient of the Coronation Medals in May 1937. His salary in December 1937 was £1,021 7/3 p.a. and it had grown to £1,031 17/6 p.a. by December 1939.

He retired from the position of Police Magistrate in July 1950.

From ‘Memoirs of a Barrister’ by Jack Elliott -
‘... in the Police Court under the benign rule of Police Magistrate H.M. Muirhead, described by some as a ‘good reasonable doubter’ and respected by all for his courtesy, humanity and profound knowledge of the criminal law and procedure. He was affectionately known as ‘Bonny”.’

Family

On the 29th of December 1923, Henry Mortimer Muirhead, of 6 Arthur St, Medindie, Walkerville, married Kate Sarah Agnes, the fifth daughter of Sir Richard Butler. Born in 1893, Kate was the younger sister of Henry’s former fiancé. Their only child, a son, James Henry Muirhead, was born at Quambi, South Terrace, Adelaide. Sadly, only days later, Kate’s father passed away while travelling in England.

The family enjoyed holidays at Victor Harbor, Grange and Glenelg. Tragically, in November 1932, Henry’s brother (Dr John R Muirhead) died aged only 48. In October 1936 the family were still living at 6 Arthur St, Medindie. Henry’s father died in September 1938.

Son James (Jim) was educated at St Peters and gained his LLB from Adelaide University in 1949. He married Margaret Hamilton Fayne, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Frayne of Prospect on the 4th of February 1950. Their daughter Janet was born in 1951 and they later had three sons.

Death

Henry Mortimer Muirhead died on the 2nd of September 1951, aged 66 and was buried privately, his wife Kate died in 1968, aged 75.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 3 September 1951, page 3



Mr. H. Muirhead Retired Police Magistrate, Dies


Mr. Henry Mortimer Muirhead, former Police Magistrate, died at his home in Arthur street. Medindie, late yesterday afternoon. He was 66.

Mr. Muirhead, who retired as Police Magistrate and head of the Adelaide Police Court Department in July last year, had been in the Government service since since March, 1911. when he was appointed associate clerk

He was made industrial registrar in 1913, and became a special magistrate in the country local courts department in 1923. He was made a special magistrate of he Adelaide Police Court in 1926. In 1934 Mr. Muirhead was appointed Police Magistrate. He enlisted in the AIF in 1917 and served with the 10th Battalion in France and Belgium.

Mr. Muirhead's father was a solicitor, and his son, Mr. J. H. Muirhead, of Grassmere, is also following the law. His widow was a daughter of the late Sir Richard Butler. Mr. Muirhead will be buried privately today.