James Murray (VC)
Encyclopedia
James Murray VC
(February 1859 - 19 July 1942) was an Irish
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Murray was born in St Michael's Parish, Cork City
, Ireland. He was approximately 21 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers
, British Army
during the First Boer War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 16 January 1881 at Elandsfontein, near Pretoria
, South Africa
, Lance-Corporal Murray and John Danaher
, a trooper of Nourse's Horse, advanced for 500 yards under heavy fire from a party of about 60 of the enemy and brought out of action a private who had been severely wounded.
He died in Dublin on 19 July 1942. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum
, Chelsea
, England.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(February 1859 - 19 July 1942) was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Murray was born in St Michael's Parish, Cork City
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland. He was approximately 21 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers
The Connaught Rangers
The Connaught Rangers was an Irish regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation in 1881 of the 88th Regiment of Foot and the 94th Regiment of Foot. It was disbanded in 1922.-History:...
, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First Boer War
First Boer War
The First Boer War also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881-1877 annexation:...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 16 January 1881 at Elandsfontein, near Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Lance-Corporal Murray and John Danaher
John Danaher
John Danaher VC also known as John Danagher was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Born in Limerick, Ireland, Danaher moved to South Africa...
, a trooper of Nourse's Horse, advanced for 500 yards under heavy fire from a party of about 60 of the enemy and brought out of action a private who had been severely wounded.
He died in Dublin on 19 July 1942. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum is the British Army's central museum. It is located in the Chelsea district of central London, England adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the "Chelsea Pensioners". The National Army Museum is open to the public every day of the year from 10.00am to 5.30pm,...
, Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, England.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Dublin)