The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson

Memorial within the Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Stirling

Albert Place, Stirling, FK8 2RG

http://www.holytrinitystirling.org/memorialindex.htm

My thanks to Rev. Canon Dr. Alison M. Peden for allowing access to this beautiful church.

apanderson · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:33 pm Post subject:

To the Glory of God and in loving Memory of
ALASTAIR JOHN GREVILLE MURRAY
2nd Lieutenant Cameron Highlanders
Killed at the Battle of the Aisne, 14th September 1914

The plaque is on the step up to the altar.

CWGC:
MURRAY, Alastair John Greville
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Date of Death: 14th September 1914
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders, 1st Bn.
Grave Reference: L.8.
Cemetery: Montcornet Military Cemetery
Additional Information: Sn of Maj. Alastair Murray and Mary Murray of Polmaise Castle, Stirling

SNWM:
Surname: MURRAY
Forename: Alastair John Greville
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Place of Birth: Polmaise
Date of Death: 14th September 1914
Theatre of Death: Unknown
Cause of Death: Died of Wounds
SNWM Roll: The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
Unit Name: Unknown Unit attached to QOCH
Other detail: 1st Bn.

columba · Joined: 19 Feb 2014 Posts: 404

Alastair John Greville Murray is also commemorated on the memorial in St Ninian's Old Parish Church. That would have been the parish church for Polmaise Castle where the family lived, although they probably worshipped in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

apanderson · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:43 pm Post subject:

Seems that many of the family were buried in what's referred to as St. Ninian's 'New' Churchyard. (At the rear and side of the church.)

See: http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=692&highlight=ninians&mforum=scottishwargraves

Anne

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:46 pm Post subject:

There's a rather splendid photograph of Alastair at:
http://www.winchestercollegeatwar.com/archive/alastair-john-greville-murray/

Sadly (unless it's me) the text which is with the photo does not show up.
It apparently reads:

SECOND LIEUTENANT ALASTAIR JOHN GREVILLE MURRAY CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
SECOND LIEUTENANT ALASTAIR JOHN GREVILLE MURRAY (H, 1908- 1912) was born on July 22nd, 1894-son of Major Murray, of Polmaise Castle, Stirling. He entered Winchester from Locker's Park, Hemel Hempstead, became a House Prefect and played in Commoner XV. He passed into Sandhurst in 1913, obtaining a commission in the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders the following year. He was reported wounded and missing at the Battle of the Aisne on September 14th, 1914, and is presumed to have died that day.
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:44 pm Post subject:

The page takes ages to load, but you've got the jist of it anyway.

The text accompanying the picture reads:

"Son of Major Alastair and Mary Murray of Polmaise Castle, Stirling. He entered Winchester from Locker’s Park, Hemel Hempstead and became a House Prefect and played in Commoner XV.

He passed into Sandhurst in 1913 and obtained a commission in 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders the following year. The 1st Camerons departed for France on 13th August 1914 where Murray’s D Company was allocated escort duties for senior officers, in this case, General Sir Douglas Haig.

On 11th September they rejoined their Battalion. Murray was killed in action, during the Battle of the Aisne, on 14th September 1914. D Company were given the objective of taking the sugar factory between Troyon and Cerny and in the following fierce fighting Murray lost his life.

War: World War 1

Surname: Murray Forenames or initials: Alastair John Greville
House: H
Years in School: 1908-1912
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Regiment: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of Birth: 22nd July 1894
Date of Death: 14th September 1914
How Died: Missing, presumed dead Location in War Cloister: Outer E5 Decoration: NA
Burial Site: Unknown, but commemorated on the LA FERTE SOUS JOARRE MEMORIAL"