Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DISTRICT LOSES A GOOD CITIZEN
The diminishing ranks of the original 10th Light Horse Regiment have been further thinned by the death on Saturday morning, at the St. John of God Hospital in the city and at the age of 84 years, of Adam Hope Murray, retired farmer, and one of the district's best-known identities. His demise came after an illness of some week's duration from which he appeared to be recovering until suffering a severe relapse. There would be few better known or  more highly regarded citizens of the district than the deceased whose association with Beverley began at about the turn of the century when he, with his parents and other members of the family arrived in the State from South Australia where farming interests had held their attention. His father, James Murray, was born in Scotland and came to South Australia as a young man to find farm employment in the Central North of that State where later he met and married Mary Long. Adam and other members of the family were born in the area and brother Alex was the first to come West, finding employment on the pipeline being constructed to carry water to goldfields. The parents and others of the family followed and Adam's first association with this district came when he commenced work on the well - known "Dongadilly" property, at East Beverley, for long associated with the Robins family.

As a young man he joined the original 10th Light Horse Regiment and with a number of other young men of the district volunteered for overseas service on the outbreak of war in 1914. Later, with others of his comrades-in-arms, he was associated with the Camel Corp in the Desert Campaign. It was at the first battle of Gaza that he received a body wound and was being assisted out of the line by a Beverley comrade in Bert Edwards (brother of Ernest) when hit by another Turkish bullet, which, after passing through his upper arm, struck Bert in the head, killing him instantly. The latter was one of the first casualties suffered by a Beverley family in the first World War and brought home to many the true implications of the conflict. On his return from service Adam married Miss Eva Draper a member of another very widely-k nown East Beverley family associated with pioneering enterprise in that part of this district, and with his brothers, began an association of many years standing - the firm being known as Murray Bros. They farmed the 'Miriam Lockerby" and one other farm property and by dint of hard work
enjoyed considerable success. The interests then created are still largely associated with their descendants. To Mr and Mrs Murray was born a family of two sons — Stan and Neil — and a daughter, Daphne (now Mrs Hawksley
of Balkuling). The family made long and lasting friendships among all sections of the community and these expanded over the years and into the retirement to Beverley of the principles and the breakup of the original  partnership some fifteen years ago.

Mr and Mrs Murray quickly adapted themselves to the town life and Adam's love of activity became largely centred in the Bowling Club for which he became a great worker season after season whilst his ability as a player was availed of frequently on pennant days. He played a large part in all the work that foreshadowed the opening of the new pavilion a few months ago. In the early days of the Beverley Branch of the R.S.L. he was an active  member, whilst he retained a close association with comrades of his war years - most of whom have now passed on. An interest in district affairs expanded when he was elected to membership of the Road Board as a representative - of the North-east Ward for which he gave excellent and appreciated service to the ratepayers. A one time keen angler, he enjoyed association with the similar minded in this district and past years saw him as a
member of many fishing trips which Chart Prior and other veterans enjoyed annually at Bremer Bay. As a great friend of the late George Wyatt of the Hotel Beverley he was a frequent visitor to Safety Bay. He came of a long living family — many of the Murray's having survived to very ripe ages, and this includes surviving brother Alex, of Forrest St, and sister Ettie (Mrs Conrad Smith). A brother, Doug, died some years ago in this district. Adam Murray was a man who represented the best aspects of community life. He was not a regular church-goer but, like so many others of his generation, he had experienced the vicissitudes of life as well as its joys and his activities were governed by Christian principles reflected in everyday acts of kindness and consideration for others. This community is the poorer for his passing and he will be missed. To those who have been bereaved by the loss of a devoted husband and father and to other relatives there will be comfort in the knowledge that he was a person whose kindness, honesty and in tegrity was never in doubt. They have the sympathy of all. 

LAST RITES
The funeral of the late citizen held on Tuesday afternoon (like several held at Beverley in recent months) was very widelyattended and St Mary's Church was filled almost to capacity when the preliminary service began at  3.00p.m. with the Rev Malcolm Ward, of York, officiating because of the illness of the Rev. Henry Tassell. The congregation was representative of all parts of the district, adjacent areas, and the city, and there were many ex-residents present to pay their last tributes of respect . At the Anglican cemetery about thirty members of the Bowling Club gathered and preceded the hearse to the graveside in token of respect to a departed clubmate. The pallbearers were Messrs C. Prior, M. O'Shea, Rede Edwards, W. Robins, J. Hastings, W. Heal. The Beverley Branch of the R.S.L. was well represented in the assemblage and the Australian flag draped the casket. Before the interment the "Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded and Mr Dave McIntosh, on behalf of local comrades, spoke the Soldier's pledge . . . "They shall not grow old . . ." A wealth of floral tributes was in evidence.