Harry Murray (1880–1966) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria
Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy"
that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed
forces. Decorated several times throughout his service in the First
World War, Murray rose from the rank of private to lieutenant colonel
in three-and-a-half years. He is often described as the highest
decorated infantry soldier of the British Empire during the First World
War. Born in Tasmania, Murray worked as a farmer, courier and timber
cutter before enlisting in September 1914. He served during the
Gallipoli Campaign, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct
Medal. He was later transferred along with the rest of his battalion to
France for service on the Western Front, where he was awarded the
Distinguished Service Order during the Battle of the Somme. In February
1917, Murray commanded a company during the battalion's attack on the
German position of Stormy Trench. During the engagement, the company
was able to capture the position and repulse three fierce
counter-attacks, with Murray often leading bayonet and bombing charges
himself. For his actions during the battle, Murray was awarded the
Victoria Cross. Returning to Australia in 1920, Murray eventually
settled in Queensland. Re-enlisting for service in the Second World
War, he was appointed as commanding officer of the 26th (Militia)
Battalion. Taking his discharge in 1944, Murray returned to his farm
and died in 1966 at the age of 85.
Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Murray>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1666:
Second Anglo–Dutch War: English Rear-Admiral Robert Holmes led a raid
on Terschelling and on the Vlie estuary in the Netherlands, destroying
130 merchant ships within two days.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes%27s_Bonfire>
1812:
War of 1812: American Navy frigate USS Constitution (pictured in 1997)
defeated British Royal Navy frigate HMS Guerrière off the coast of Nova
Scotia, Canada, earning her nickname "Old Ironsides".
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constitution_vs_HMS_Guerriere>
1953:
The government of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq was
overthrown in a coup d'état and was replaced by Fazlollah Zahedi.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat>
1960:
Russian space dogs Belka and Strelka began to orbit the Earth aboard
the Korabl-Sputnik-2 spacecraft.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_space_dogs>
1980:
Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 163 burned after making an emergency
landing at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
killing all 301 people on board.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudia_Flight_163>
2003:
A car bomb destroyed the United Nations headquarters at Baghdad's Canal
Hotel, killing Brazilian diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 others.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Hotel_bombing>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
landlubber (n):
1. A person who lives and works on the land.
2. (nautical) Someone unfamiliar with the sea or seamanship,
especially a novice seaman
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/landlubber>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw?
Oh curst Effects of necessary Law!
How ill my Fear they by my Mercy
scan,
Beware the Fury of a Patient Man.
--John Dryden
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Dryden>
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