Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Albert Ellis Murray was born March 9th 1895 at Cleadon, near South Shields one of 9 children of whom only 6 survived, 3 sons and 3 daughters. His father Henry Murray Snr was a native of Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland born October 5th 1866 who married in the district of South Shields in 1892, Lavinia Emma M. Wales born 1872 at Lanchester, County Durham. In 1911, living at 17, Rothbury Avenue, Pelaw, Henry Snr. was employed as a labourer at the shipyards, Albert and Henry Jnr were apprentice riveters.
Albert Ellis Murray enlisted in 1914 assigned as Private S/8706 to the 9th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, formed as part of Kitchener’s New Army. Under the orders of the 44th Brigade, 15th Scottish Division they moved to Aldershot and went on to Haslemere in the November. Converted to a Pioneer Battalion January 12th 1915 they moved to Pensham Down and by May were at Andover. The division landed at Boulogne during the first week of July 1915 and were in action during the Battle of Loos. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position, also in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the Battle of Pozieres, July 23rd-3rd September 1916.
Private S/8706 Albert Ellis Murray was killed in action August 29th 1916 and interred at Bazentin-le-Petit Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave H. 8, he was 21 years old and single.
His father Henry received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards go the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 14, Anne Street, Bill Quay. He paid 12 shillings 10 pence for an additional inscription to be added to Albert’s military headstone, it reads, "Ever Remembered By Father Mother Sisters & Brothers”. This was identical to that commissioned for his brother Private 1257 Henry Murray Durham Light Infantry who was killed 13 months prior, July 6th 1915, whilst serving on the Ypres salient in Belgium. Interred Kemmel Chateaux Cemetery, West Vlaanderen near Ypres, grave L. 74. Recipient of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Their father Henry Murray died in 1934 aged 68 years, their mother Lavinia Emma M. Murray nee Wales aged 80 years in 1952, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Albert Ellis Murray is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Felling on F32.06
