Charles Wyndham Murray
Encyclopedia
Col Sir Charles Wyndham Murray KCB
GCStJ
(22 February 1844 – 1 November 1928) was a British Army officer and politician. He served as a Conservative
Member of Parliament
MP for Bath
from 1892–1906 and as Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
in the Order of the Bath from 1913 until his death.
.
Rev 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 Sir Murray in memory of his father.
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 Club
s. His appointments included Chairman of the Japan Society
from 1913 to 1918, and he held the Order of the Rising Sun
; Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
in the Order of the Bath (1913), and Knight of Justice of the Order of St John.
in Berkshire
.
roofs, situated in an elevated well-wooded park, the cedar
s being particularly fine. The araucaria
s 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
Charles W Murray also wrote a short biography of himself and there is a copy in the Reference section of the Public Library in Bath, England.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
GCStJ
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
(22 February 1844 – 1 November 1928) was a British Army officer and politician. He served as a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
MP for Bath
Bath (UK Parliament constituency)
Bath is a constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, previously of the House of Commons of England. It is an ancient constituency which has been constantly represented in Parliament since boroughs were first summoned to send members in the 13th century...
from 1892–1906 and as Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of the Bath, established in 1725.-Office Holders from 1725:*1725 – ?: Edmund Sawyer*bef. 1763 – aft. 1789: Henry Hill*bef. 1806 – 2 July 1814: Sir Isaac Heard...
in the Order of the Bath from 1913 until his death.
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 Marlborough CollegeMarlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
.
Rev Murray served as Prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
and is remembered there by a pair of candle holders at the main entrance which were given by Sir Murray in memory of his father.
Career
He began his military career as an EnsignEnsign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
in the 61st South Gloucestershire Regiment
61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot
The 61st Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, created in 1758 and amalgamated into The Gloucestershire Regiment in 1881....
in November 1862, promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in October 1865 and passed from Staff College in 1872. By October 1877 he was a Captain and in July 1881, a Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he served as military King's Messenger
Queen's Messenger
The Corps of Queen's Messengers are couriers employed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They hand-carry secret and important documents to British embassies and consulates around the world. Many Queen's Messengers are retired Army personnel...
in France.
In 1875, he was appointed Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, and then moved to the Intelligence Department in Dublin. In 1878, he moved to Turkey, where he was a military attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
. During the Anglo-Zulu War
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
, he was aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
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
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
(staff), became orderly officer to General Thomas Durand Baker
Thomas Durand Baker
Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Durand Baker KCB was a British army officer, and Quartermaster-General to the Forces.-Military career:...
, 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
Osminieh Order
The Order of Osmanieh, Order of Osmanie, Order of Osmania was a military decoration of the Ottoman Empire, created in January 1862 by Sultan Abdulaziz. With the obsolescence of the Nichan Iftikhar , this became the second highest order in the Empire, ranking below the High Order of Honour...
. During 1884-85, he took part in the Bechuanaland operations. He retired from the service in 1890.
He was elected Conservative MP for Bath
Bath (UK Parliament constituency)
Bath is a constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, previously of the House of Commons of England. It is an ancient constituency which has been constantly represented in Parliament since boroughs were first summoned to send members in the 13th century...
1892-1906 and was a member of Carlton
Carlton Club
The Carlton Club is a gentlemen's club in London which describes itself as the "oldest, most elite, and most important of all Conservative clubs." Membership of the club is by nomination and election only.-History:...
and Army and Navy Club
Army and Navy Club
The Army and Navy Club in London is a gentlemen's club founded in 1837, also known informally as The Rag.-Foundation and membership:...
s. His appointments included Chairman of the Japan Society
Japan Society of the UK
The Japan Society of the United Kingdom, founded in 1891, is the oldest and most respected organization dealing with European-Japanese relations.The society is also known as the Japan Society of London, or simply as The Japan Society.-History:...
from 1913 to 1918, and he held the Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
; Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of the Bath, established in 1725.-Office Holders from 1725:*1725 – ?: Edmund Sawyer*bef. 1763 – aft. 1789: Henry Hill*bef. 1806 – 2 July 1814: Sir Isaac Heard...
in the Order of the Bath (1913), and Knight of Justice of the Order of St John.
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 BurghfieldBurghfield
Burghfield is a village and civil parish in West Berkshire, England, close to the boundary with Reading.-Location:Burghfield is about southwest of Reading...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
.
Death and afterward
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 slateSlate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
roofs, situated in an elevated well-wooded park, the cedar
Lebanon Cedar
Cedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region.There are two distinct types that are considered to be different subspecies or varieties. Lebanon cedar or Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean...
s being particularly fine. The araucaria
Araucaria
Araucaria is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Araucariaceae. There are 19 extant species in the genus, with a highly disjunct distribution in New Caledonia , Norfolk Island, eastern Australia, New Guinea, Argentina, Chile, and southern Brazil.-Description:Araucaria are mainly...
s 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
Charles W Murray also wrote a short biography of himself and there is a copy in the Reference section of the Public Library in Bath, England.
Awards and honours
- 1891: Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at ArmsHonourable Corps of Gentlemen at ArmsHer Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms is a bodyguard to the British Monarch. Until 17 March 1834 they were known as The Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners.-Formation:...
- 1902: Companion of the Order of the Bath
- 1905: knighted
- 1917: Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
- 1927: Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John
- Khedive's Star
- Order of Osminieh 4th class
- Order of the Rising SunOrder of the Rising SunThe is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...