Alexander Murray, 8th Earl of Dunmore
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Alexander Edward Murray, 8th Earl of Dunmore, VC, DSO, MVO, (22 April 1872–29 January 1962) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 26 years old, a viscount, and a lieutenant in the 16th Lancers (The Queen's), British Army during the Tirah Campaign, India when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 17 August 1897 at Nawa Kili, Upper Swat, India, Lieutenant Lord Fincastle with two other officers (Robert Bellew Adams and Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean) and five men of the Guides, went under a heavy and close fire, to the rescue of a lieutenant of the Lancashire Fusiliers who was lying disabled by a bullet wound and surrounded by enemy swordsmen. Whilst the wounded officer was being brought under cover, he was unfortunately killed by a bullet. One of the officers of the rescue party was mortally wounded and four horses were shot.
On 5 January 1904, he married Lucinda Dorothea Kemble, daughter of Colonel Horace William Kemble. They had three children:
- Lady Marjorie Hilda Murray (b. 1904)
- Edward David Murray, Viscount Fincastle (1908–1940)
- Lady Mary Elizabeth Murray (b. 1913)
[edit] Further information
Served in the Boer War from 1899 until 1900 and the First World War from 1914 until 1916. He later achieved the rank of major.
[edit] The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by The Earl of Clarendon |
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms 1924 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Clarendon |
Peerage of Scotland | ||
Preceded by Charles Murray |
Earl of Dunmore 1907–1962 |
Succeeded by John Murray |
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Golders Green)