Brigadier Murray William James Bourchier CMG, DSO, VD
Description
Murray William James Bourchier was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria. He was educated in Melbourne, and in 1909 commanded a troop of light horse. At the outbreak of World War I, he was commissioned into the AIF as a lieutenant and left with the first contingent overseas. He served seven months on Gallipoli, and during the Sinai campaign in 1916-17 led the final assault on Beersheba. In 1918 after fighting through Palestine, he commanded a joint force in the final advance on Damascus. After returning to Australia, he remained an officer in the CMF, being promoted to Brigadier in 1931.
Bourchier was elected to the Victoria Parliament in 1921 and served in many roles until 1935. He died on 16 December 1937 while in London. He was posthumously knighted in 1938.
Details
First name/s
Murray William James
Last name
Bourchier
Final rank
Brigadier
Date of Birth
04/04/1881
Date of Enlistment
25/08/1914
Date of Embarkation
19/10/1914
Date returned to Australia
13/06/1919
Date of Death
16/12/1937
Ranks held
Conflicts
Units
Service
Tags and Groups
- Distinguished Service Order
- Mention in despatches
- 4 LHR [Light Horse Regiment] (October 1914)
- Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
- all people profiles
- biographies
Rolls
| Roll Type | Unit | Rank | Conflict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours and Awards | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Major | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Major | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Captain | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Major | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Major | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Major | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Honours and Awards (Recommendation) | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| First World War Embarkation Roll | Lieutenant | First World War, 1914-1918 | |
| First World War Nominal Roll | 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel | First World War, 1914-1918 |
Gazettes
Commonwealth Gazette
- 19 April 1917
- 23 May 1918
- 24 September 1918
- 6 October 1919
- 2 September 1920
London Gazette
- 1 December 1916
- 18 January 1918
- 25 April 1918
- 3 June 1919
- 5 June 1919
- 11 June 1920
Timeline
- 04/04/1881
- Date of birth
- 25/08/1914
- Date of enlistment
- 19/10/1914
- Date of embarkation
- 1916-05-27 - 1918-01-28
- Commanding Officer of the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
- 13/02/1916
- Date of recommendation honour or award
- 15/02/1916
- Date of recommendation honour or award
- 02/11/1917
- Date of recommendation honour or award
- 1918-12-16 - 1919-04-27
- Commanding Officer of the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
- 1918-01-03 - 1918-09-28
- Commanding Officer of the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
- 14/06/1918
- Date of recommendation honour or award
- 23/12/1918
- Date of recommendation honour or award
- 13/06/1919
- Date returned to Australia
- 13/06/1919
- Date returned to Australia
- 16/12/1937
- Date of death
