Service Details
- Branch of Service
- Army
- Conflict
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Date of Enlistment
- 02/10/1940
- Date of Discharge
- 14/01/1944
- Place of Enlistment
- Canberra ACT
Personal Details
- Gender
- Male
- Date of Birth
- 24/02/1920
- Place of Birth
- Oakleigh, Victoria
- Address (at enlistment)
- Kingston ACT
- Occupation
- Milk distributor
- Next of Kin
- Donald Murray (father), Wollongong NSW
Unit and Rank Details
- Service Number
- N130790
- Final Rank
- Private
- Final Unit
- 40 Battalion
Notes
Don Murray was the son of one of the Territory's first dairymen and worked for the Canberra Dairy Society. He enlisted on 2 October 1940 but was not mobilised until a year later. He joined the 3rd Battalion (militia) in Port Moresby, Papua in May 1942 and after recovering from mumps was sent to join Maroubra Force on the Kokoda track in September 1942. For the next two months 3 Battalion fought the Japanese along the track at Iorabaiwa and Imita Ridge, Templetons Crossing and Oivi. After the Japanese retreated to the north coast of Papua, 3 Battalion were part of the assault on Gona.
Murray returned to Australia in January 1943 and, when the 3rd Battalion was disbanded, he was transferred to the 40th Battalion. Murray was discharged in January 1944 because he was required for employment in a reserved occupation.
Sources
WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
NAA A663 0130/390 Exemption from Military training - employees Canberra Dairy Society
NAA RecordSearch