Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Horace Murray was one of four sons of Solomon Kennedy and Mullildah Verneren Murray, of Collie, Gilgandra, New South Wales, who all enlisted for overseas service during WW1.

His brother, 11366 Gnr. Stanley Delphus Dalley Murray 1st Australian Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery, later died of wounds on 31 May 1918, aged 30.

Horace only arrived on the Western Front on 15 March 1917 and was killed in action at Bullecourt only three weeks later. He was reported to have been killed by a shell early during the 13th Battalion’s attack and has no known grave.

Horace was revered among the people of Collie, and the Dubbo Dispatch printed the following during June 1917.

“Private Horace Murray, one of the three soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Murray, of Adelaide Vale, Collie, is among the missing after the recent heavy fighting in France. Horace, in his school days- these are only just over- was a champion in the field of sport, and in the class-room records of his college he was nearly always at the top of the lists. He was one of the promising youths of the west, almost every element of good was in him, and active. Indeed, he was a youth of almost physical, mental, and moral perfection. It is pathetic to have to write of him thus in the past tense, but there is still a hope that he is not amongst the slain.”

Horace was not confirmed as killed until October 1917 by a Court of Enquiry.

Another article stated “In the matter of enlistments, the family of Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Murray, of Collie, have reason to be proud of their record. Three sons were at the front. Horace-one of the finest boys the Collie district has ever known-made the supreme sacrifice.”

Another article in the Gilgandra Weekly of November 1917 stated “….it was thought that Horace had been taken prisoner, and was a prisoner of war in Germany. During this week the sad news of Private Murray's death in action came as a terrific shock to the Murray family. It may be some consolation to the Murray family in knowing that their son and brother has laid down his life for the privileges they enjoy- for the cause of humanity and the freedom of Europe. He has served his King and country well, and has done his duty, even at the extreme penalty of making the supreme sacrifice. Up till he enlisted Horace Murray was one of the most popular young men of the Collie district. His name ranks amongst those who have taken a keen interest in any go-ahead movement in connection with the future welfare of Collie. For a number of years, he was the worthy secretary of the local branch of the Farmers and Settlers' Association, and showed his ability on more than one occasion as an organising secretary of the same body's carnival, which, a few years ago, was an annual event in Collie. In the sporting arena, Horace was very prominent, and was always a most enthusiastic member as well as secretary of both the local Tennis and Cricket Clubs. Private Murray was also prominently associated with lodge work locally, having been secretary of the M.U.I.O.O.F. A good citizen and a good soldier, thus we leave our hero. He is now but a cherished memory of the past—his past deeds stand as a reminder of his heroic end. Sympathy is extended to the Murray family in the severe loss they have sustained.”

Two other brothers also served in the AIF. Horace is remembered on the Collie War Memorial.