MURRAY, Francis Lawson
| Service Number: | 4055 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Goodooga, New South Wales, Australia, 18 June 1890 |
| Home Town: | Moree, Moree Plains, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 13 July 1950, aged 60 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4055, 3rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 4055, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 4055, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 3 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Driver, 4055, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
Help us honour Francis Lawson Murray's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Driver Francis Lawson Murray (Service No. 4055), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.
On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Francis Lawson Murray was born on 18 June 1890 in Goodooga, New South Wales, to Henry and Annie Murray (nee McCarthy).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 30 September 1915, stating his age as 25, his occupation as station hand, and naming his brother Stanley as his next of kin. In January 1916, he embarked for active service abroad. On 29 March 1916 he embarked at Alexandria and disembarked at Marseilles on 4 April 1916. Shortly after arrival, he was admitted to isolation hospital suffering from mumps and was later transferred to a convalescent hospital. He rejoined his unit on 13 May 1916 and was attached to the 3rd Division on 3 June 1916.
On 16 August 1916, Murray was wounded in action at Pozieres, sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest. He was admitted to the 23rd General Hospital at Etaples and later transferred to England for treatment at the 3rd London General Hospital. By 29 September 1916, he had rejoined his unit in Belgium with the 5th Australian Field Artillery. In December, he was admitted to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station suffering from bronchitis and phthisis.
On 25 December 1916, he was again hospitalised, and on 27 December admitted to No. 10 General Hospital, Rouen. After recovery, he returned to the Base Depot and was reclassified for base duties in early 1917. In April, he was transferred to England for further treatment and convalescence at No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth.
In July 1917, Murray proceeded overseas once more to France via Southampton. On 23 October, he was detached for pack duty with the Australian Army Service Corps and promoted to Driver 3rd Class. He continued to serve through 1918, taking leave in the United Kingdom in March and again in September.
On 12 February 1919, he was marched out for return to Australia, proceeding to No. 3 Camp Parkhouse and later admitted to Group Hospital, Parkhouse. After convalescence at No. 2 Depot, Weymouth, he left England in April 1919, disembarking in Sydney in June and was discharged from the AIF on 3 August 1919.
His brother, Sergeant Robert Henry Murray (Service No. 1673, 15th Infantry Battalion), died of wounds on 13 April 1917 in France during the fighting on the Somme. He was buried in St. Roch Communal Cemetery, Valenciennes, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Following his return to Australia, he is recorded as living in Brisbane and working as a labourer. On 10 March 1947, Francis married Ethel Clarke at the Brisbane City Mission in the Strand Building, Queen Street, Brisbane.
Driver Francis Lawson Murray died on 13 July 1950, aged 60, and was buried the following day in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He had no known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice.
His identity has now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
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