MURRAY, Owen Keith
| Service Number: | 723 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 August 1914, Place of Enlistment, Randwick New South Wales. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, 23 February 1894 |
| Home Town: | Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Parramatta District School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Architect |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, 20 May 1915, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli Plot III, row D, Grave No 4, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Parramatta Superior Public School Great War Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 723, 1st Infantry Battalion, Place of Enlistment, Randwick New South Wales. | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 723, 1st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 723, 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Sydney | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 723, 1st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 20 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 723, 1st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli |
Pte. Owen Keith Murray.
Pte. Owen Keith Murray, 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, was killed in action on 20th May 1915. He is buried in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Anzac,
“Mr. and Mrs. Murray, of Phillip Street, Parramatta, have been officially advised that one son, Owen Keith Murray (21), has been killed and that another, W. L. Murray, has been wounded.”
“Owen Keith Murray, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Murray, of Phillip Street, Parramatta, who received word on Monday of his death. With his brother Walter ('Bussy') he left with the first contingent for Egypt, and afterwards went into the firing line at the Dardanelles. It will be remembered that Walter was reported wounded. Owen Keith Murray was 31 years of age, and was born at the home of his parents, Phillip Street, Parramatta. He was educated at the Parramatta District School under Mr. Anderson when schoolmaster (now inspector). Both enlisted on August 15, 1914, with others from Parramatta, Messrs. Power, Boon, O'Brien, Cutter and Hughes among them, and were in camp at Kensington (Randwick) prior to leaving for Egypt, and sailed for Cairo on October 18. Keith was formerly attached to the Submarine Miners' Corps at Middle Harbour. He was, like his brother, very popular, and followed the occupation of an architect. Keith's last letter to his parents (from Alexandria) was very cheerful.
“His last letter.
“One or two pathetic sentences in the light of what has happened since to the young hero appear in probably the last letter Owen Murray wrote before he went into the fight at Gallipoli, where he met his death. It was written to Miss May Crouch, of the Parramatta High School staff, on 27/3/'15:— “I intend to set a photo of the principal objects here and make sure of an album when I get back!' On the back of the last page of a very long and interesting letter of the historical monuments in Cairo, he added a postscript: — “I am posting this from the boat, where we are now. Had notice to move in 24 hours. It is all I can do to get this away now. All we are taking are our packs. In case I can't get any news home, will you let everyone know. Perhaps it may be some time before they hear from me.. Can't tell!... Anyway, we hope for the best, as the minister says. Best wishes. OWEN.” The letter was countersigned “Blair J. Swannell,” [3] who, no doubt, passed it finally as censor.
“A few days later the young soldier died nobly, after carrying his wounded brother to the beach.” [4]
He was the 21 year-old son of Elijah John and Annie Elizabeth Murray, originally of Parramatta, New South Wales.
Courtesy of Gallipoli 1915 Facebook Page.
Submitted 21 May 2022 by Lynette Turner
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