Wyndham Murray

Colonel Sir Charles Wyndham Murray, KCB, GCStJ (22 February 1844[1] – 1 November 1928) was a British Army officer and politician. He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament MP for Bath from 1892 to 1906 and as Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod of the Order of the Bath from 1913 until his death.

Sir Wyndham Murray
Born(1844-02-22)22 February 1844
Died1 November 1928(1928-11-01) (aged 84)
NationalityBritish
EducationHighgate School
Marlborough College
Occupation(s)Soldier and politician
TitleMember of Parliament for Bath
Term1896–1902
Political partyConservative
SpouseEmma Konarski nee Walker (1890–1922)
Parent(s)Rev Thomas Boyles Murray and Helen Douglas
Military career
Allegiance UK
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1862–1890
RankColonel
Battles/warsAnglo-Zulu War
Second Anglo-Afghan War
Battle of Tel el-Kebir

Biography

Early life and education

Charles Wyndham Murray was born on 22 February 1844, the son of Rev Thomas Boyles Murray and Helen Douglas, and was educated at Highgate School from 1853 until 1856, when he went to Marlborough College.[2][1]

The Rev Mr Murray served as Prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral and is remembered there by a pair of candle holders at the main entrance which were given by Thomas Douglas Murray 1841–1911 barrister, Egyptologist, author in memory of his father.

Career

He began his military career as an Ensign in the 61st South Gloucestershire Regiment in November 1862, promoted to Lieutenant in October 1865 and passed from Staff College in 1872. By October 1877 he was a Captain and in July 1881, a Major. During World War I, he served as military King's Messenger in France.

In 1875, he was appointed Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General in Cork, and then moved to the Intelligence Department in Dublin. In 1878, he moved to Turkey, where he was a military attaché. During the Anglo-Zulu War, he was aide-de-camp to Major General Crealocke (1st Division), then deployed with Clarke's column on reconnaissance missions (medal and clasp). In Spring 1880, he was attached to 72nd Highlanders at Kabul (staff), became orderly officer to General Thomas Durand Baker, taking part in the Logar Valley expedition of May–June 1880.

In 1882, he was involved in the Egyptian War, as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General on the base and lines of communication; he was present at Tel-el-Kebir, gaining the Khedive's Star and 4th Class Osminieh. During 1884–85, he took part in the Bechuanaland operations. He retired from the service in 1890.

He was elected Conservative MP for Bath 1892–1906 and was a member of Carlton and Army and Navy Clubs. His appointments included Chairman of the Japan Society from 1913 to 1918, and he held the Order of the Rising Sun.

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the November 1902 Birthday Honours list,[3][4] was promoted to a Knight Commander of the Order in 1917, and served as a Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod to the Order of the Bath (1913).

Marriage and children

He married Emma Cecilia Walker in 1890. Lady Murray, as she was known, died in 1922. Their country seat was 'Culverlands' at Burghfield in Berkshire.

Death and afterward
Murray's grave in Brookwood Cemetery

Culverlands, the former residence of Col. Sir Charles Wyndham Murray, C.B., is an 18th-century house altered and enlarged in 1879. It is a plain plastered building with a balustraded parapet and slate roofs, situated in an elevated well-wooded park, the cedars being particularly fine. The araucarias were raised from seed brought from South America by the late Thomas Bland Garland and are probably the oldest in England grown by this method.[5]

On his death Murray was buried in Brookwood Cemetery.

Awards and honours

His medals were sold at auction in February 2016 for £7,200[9] as was his badge of office as Scarlet Rod for £900.[10]

References
  1. Marlborough College register from 1843 to 1904 inclusive (5 ed.). 1905. p. 97. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  2. Ed. Boreham, J.Y. Highgate School Register 1838–1938 (4th ed.). p. 25.
  3. "Birthday Honours". The Times. No. 36921. London. 10 November 1902. p. 10.
  4. "No. 27499". The London Gazette. 28 November 1902. p. 8253.
  5. British History Online, parishes: Burghfield
  6. Who's Who, 1900. Vol. 2009. A & C Black. 1900. p. 34. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  7. "Colonel Charles Wyndham Murray" (PDF). The London Gazette. 27865: 9084. 19 December 1905. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  8. "Supplement to the London Gazette, 4 June 1917" (PDF). The London Gazette. 4 June 1917. p. 5456.
  9. "Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria (24 – 25 February 2016) Lot 408". Dix Noonan Webb. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  10. "Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria (24 – 25 February 2016) Lot 1044". Dix Noonan Webb. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
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