Harry Murray was an Australian Australian. That’s how Harry Murray memorial statue committee member Alastair Cameron * described the British Empire’s most highly decorated soldier — and Australia’s most highly decorated soldier ever — at the unveiling of the statue by Governor General Michael Jeffery at Evandale (Feb 24).
Murray, who survived Gallipoli and the Western Front in Europe, never marched on Anzac Day and thought war was the failure of politicians, but joined up again in World War II.
Cameron was MC of the event and instrumental in getting the project to completion and the GG to unveil the bronze statue by Peter Corlett.
The GG, who was a Major General , said he was in awe of Murray, who was born and raised in the small Tasmanian town of Evandale. An ordinary man who was an exceptional soldier in extraordinary times. A man who rose from Private to Lt Colonel in World War I, who won the Victoria Cross, the DSO (and Bar), DCM, CMG and France’s Croix de Guerre
A real hero in an age of celebrity heroes. So said Premier Paul Lennon at the event, which was attended by hundreds of people. Lennon spoke without notes, in a clearly heartfelt speech which resonated with the crowd.
Murray’s son and daughter, and dozens of relatives from around Australia and overseas were present for the occasion, which honoured a man who has been neglected by history and who died, almost unknown, in 1986, after a car accident in Queensland.
* Alastair Cameron is one of my brothers.
Earlier: A great soldier
