Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021
The second Auburn Memorial man who survived the war was Private David Murray 24. Murray, of Ballynahinch in County Galway, Ireland, was a bricklayer who had completed five years apprenticeship with John Long of Cumberland Road, Auburn. John Long could well have been a relation of David’s mother, Rachael Long.
Murray enlisted on 3 October 1916 in Goulburn. Embarking on the Suevic on 11 November 1916, he arrived in Devonport, UK, on 30 January 1917. During the voyage, he was admitted to the ship’s hospital with VD.
Murray was in England for five months before he proceeded to France and marched into the 13th Battalion, in which quite a few Auburn men served.
Murray was discharged from the AIF in London on 27 September 1919, having served two years and 360 days in the AIF. Out of this, his service record shows he spent 99 days in hospital before the Armistice and another 68 days after.
Murray is listed on the Auburn War Memorial, even though he survived the war. The name Murray D is also on the Municipality of Auburn Honour Roll 1914-1919 with the asterisk indicating that those who compiled the list thought that Murray D had died in the war.
3178 David Murray is not on the Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra.
David Murray is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
His decorations:
- Victory Medal
- British War Medal 1914-20