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Portrait of Gunner Alexander Cumming Murray
This soldier is a Gunner in the Royal New Zealand Field Artillery. He has been identified by his daughter and grand-daughter as Alexander Cumming Murray, service number 58035.
Alexander was one of seven sons of John and Catherine Murray of 27 Roy Street, in Newtown, Wellington, three of whom served in the War. Alexander and his brother John survived, but Charles Vincent Murrray died of wounds received in action on 27 August 1918.
Alexander was born in Pukearuhe , Taranaki on 7 July 1883. When he enlisted on 12 May 1917 he was working as a cabinetmaker for the Scoullar Company. Alexander was posted to the 33rd Reinforcements, New Zealand Field Artillery on 22 August, and eventually embarked for service overseas with the 37th Reinforcements on 9 May 1918.
Alexander landed at Liverpool on 24 June and after training at the Artillery's camp at Ewshott, he went to France on 11 September and was posted to the 3rd Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery. After the Armistice, Alexander served for a short time in the Rhineland with the Allied occupation forces, then returned to England. He returned to New Zealand on 23 September, when he was discharged from military service.
Alexander Murray married Ellen Jane Lang in Wellington on 1 June 1927. He died at Wellington on 18 April 1956 and is buried in the soldier's section of Karori cemetery.