Arthur and Herbert Murray
There was a wonderful document given out today by Queen’s Park Football Club written by Frank McCrossan which remembered brothers Arthur and Herbert Murray who both fought in the Great War 1914 to 1918 and both played for Queen’s Park and Arbroath
As Hampden fell silent as we paid our respects for Armistice Day here is a summary of Frank’s poignant tribute.
Arthur Murray, the eldest of the two brothers was born in Aberdeen in 1880 and obtained a first class degree in Classics at Aberdeen University before becoming a school teacher.
Arthur also was a footballer and played for Aberdeen side Victoria United as a centre half before two seasons with Arbroath where he won the Scottish Qualifying Cup before moving to Forfar Athletic where he won the Forfarshire Cup in 1905/1906.
It was after this that he moved to Glasgow to teach at Allan Glen’s school and started his long relationship with Queen’s Park.
In June 1916 he enlisted as a Private in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders in January 1917 but was captured by the Germans in the spring offensive in March 1918.
He was released at the end of the war and then discharged in January 1919. His relationship with Queen’s Park continued and was Club President from 1921 to 1923.
He left Glasgow in 1924 to take up the post of Rector at Banff Academy but sadly died in 1930 at only 50 years old.
Albert’s young brother Herbert or “Bert” was born in Newhills in Aberdeenshire in 1886.
His path in life was almost identical to that of his brother as he attended Aberdeen University and became a school teacher.
Bert also was a footballer and known for his time with Aberdeen but also had a spell with the Lichties in 1904/1905 as well as playing for Queen’s Park in 1910. He also played for East Stirlingshire, Clyde and St Johnstone.
Early in 1915, Bert enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders and was commissioned as 2/Lieutenant into the 1st/4th Battalion on 13th August 1915.
He was severely injured and sent back to a hospital in England. He spent about 8 months as a musketry instructor but returned to the front line in April 17.
For his Brilliant and courageous action during the terrible days of the Spring Offensive in March 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross.
He held the rank of Captain when he was tragically killed in action on the 20th July 2018 where he fell at the Hois de Courton North of Epernay in the Second Battle of the Marne.
He is buried at the Marfaux British Cemetery in the Marne region of France.
Let us remember Arthur and Bert Murray and all of those who gave their lives in the Great War.
To learn more about Arthur and to read more from Frank please visit –
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To learn more about Herbert please visit; http://
Photographs of Arthur and Bert kindly used in remembrance from http://www.qpfc.com/
