John Murray (Irish soldier)
John Murray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1837 Birr, County Offaly |
| Died | 7 November 1911 (aged 73–74) Derrinlogh, County Offaly |
| Buried | Eglish Churchyard, County Offaly |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1852–1873 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) |
| Battles / wars | Crimean War New Zealand Wars |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Crimea Medal, Sebastopol, Inkermann, Balaclava, Alma clasps |
John Murray VC (February 1837 – 7 November 1911) was a British Army soldier and an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early life
[edit]Murray was born in Birr, County Offaly, in February 1837.
Victoria Cross
[edit]Sergeant John Murray, 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry), was approximately 27 years old during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War in New Zealand when the following deed took place on 21 June 1864 at Tauranga for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC):
For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June, when the Enemy's position was being stormed, in running up to a Rifle Pit containing from eight to ten of the enemy, and, without any assistance, killing or wounding every one of them.
He is stated to have afterwards proceeded up the works, fighting desperately, and still continuing to bayonet the Enemy.[3]
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Further information
[edit]Murray died at Derrinlogh in County Offaly on 7 November 1911.
The medal
[edit]His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery in Durham, England.
References
[edit]- ^ "John Murray VC". Victoria Cross Online. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Coin, Medal and Banknote Auction, 14 June 2012: Sale 34—Gallantry". Corbits. 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "War Office, November 4, 1864". The London Gazette. No. 22908. 4 November 1864. p. 5187.
External links
[edit]- Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Offaly, Ireland)
- DLI Biography Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Durham Light Infantry soldiers
- British military personnel of the New Zealand Wars
- New Zealand Wars recipients of the Victoria Cross
- 1837 births
- 1911 deaths
- 19th-century Irish people
- Irish soldiers in the British Army
- People from Birr, County Offaly
- British Army personnel of the Crimean War
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Military personnel from County Offaly