John Murray (Irish soldier)

John Murray VC
Born	1837 Birr, County Offaly
Died	7 November 1911 (aged 73–74) Derrinlogh, County Offaly
Buried	Eglish Churchyard, County Offaly
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	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 Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Turkish Crimea Medal[1] Visit to Ireland Medal, 1900[2]

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

Murray was born in Birr, County Offaly, in February 1837.

Victoria Cross

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]

Sgt. Murray, VC and others from the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot, 1866

Further information

Murray died at Derrinlogh in County Offaly on 7 November 1911.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery in Durham, England.

References

1. "John Murray VC". Victoria Cross Online. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
2. "Coin, Medal and Banknote Auction, 14 June 2012: Sale 34—Gallantry". Corbits. 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
3. "War Office, November 4, 1864". The London Gazette. No. 22908. 4 November 1864. p. 5187.

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Offaly, Ireland)
• DLI Biography Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine