Full medal write up
MILITARY CROSS GV, 1914-15 STAR ‘2.LIEUT. K.D.P MURRAY R.F.C.’, BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS ‘MAJOR K. D. P. MURRAY. R.A.F.’, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE.
M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917. The original recommendation published in January 1918, states: Lt. (T./Capt.) Keith Day Pearce Murray, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions. He has displayed the utmost skill and fearlessness in ranging our batteries on hostile battery positions. Most of this work he had to carry out at a very low altitude and under very heavy fire, owing to the fact that the target was very well camouflaged, but, in spite of being repeatedly attacked and his machine several times damaged by anti-aircraft and machine gun fire, he was invariably successful."
M.I.D. London Gazette (for service in France) 30 April 1916, 15 June 1916, 15 May 1917, 20 May 1918 and 8 November 1918 (Sir D Haig’s despatch).
Croix de Guerre (Belgium) London Gazette 15 July 1919.
Keith Day Pearce Murray, one of the pioneers of New Zealand aviation, was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 5 July 1892. Educated at Prince Albert College, Auckland and King’s College in Remuera, by 1910 he was working as an architect’s draughtsman. The same year, having a keen interest in aviation, he took on the office of secretary for the newly formed Aero Club of New Zealand, also designing the logo for the club, the famed aviation pioneer, Leo Walsh, as the clubs President. Initially with just 25 members, the club gained financial support to build and fly their own aircraft, something that had at this point, not been achieved in New Zealand.
https://teara.govt.nz/mi/biographies/6w12/walsh-austin-leonard
Plans, an engine and materials were purchased for a Howard Wright 1910 biplane and after nearly 6 months of building, the biplane, named Manurewa No. 1 was ready for its first flight. Thus, at Glenora Park, Papakura on 5 February 1911, with Vivian Walsh at the controls, Manurewa No. 1 made a short 4400-yardflight which was the first recognised powered flight made in New Zealand history. Keith Murray was present at this flight, indeed the best-known photograph of Manurewa No.1 prior to take off has Murray and several other members of the Aero Club, holding the tail of the biplane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Murray_(ceramic_artist)
Having left his job to enlist in the Royal Flying Corps, Keith Murray arrived in London from Brisbane as a civilian passenger aboard R.M.S.‘Orsova’ in mid-April 1915. As New Zealand did not issue flying licences/certificates until 1916, Murray was sent to the Military School, Brooklands, gaining his flying certificate on 1 June 1915. He was subsequently Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps………………………
SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP
Condition generally GVF, Star with light toning where once taped, BWM, lightly cleaned around naming, both this and Victory named in same machine. Replacement ribbons. Sold with copy service records (digital) and various other research, both copied and digital.
An exceptional group to a pioneer of an early New Zealand aviation and a later famed artist.