The Story Of Percy Black And Harry Murray Of The 1st AIF.
Mentioned by CEW Bean in his classic book, 'The Official History Of Australia in the War Of 1914-18', Percy Black and Harry Murray were extraordinary men who made enormous contributions to the Anzac tradition. Both in their mid thirties and working in the Australian bush when war was declared in 1914 they were quick to enlist and were placed in the same machine gun section of the newly formed 16th battalion.
Landing at Anzac Cove on the 25th April 1915 their courage and natural ability took both men to high rank and earned them several awards for gallantry. After having served at both Gallipoli and on the Western Front Lieutenant-Colonel Murray, VC, CMG, DSO & Bar, DCM, Croix de Guerre was the most decorated infantry soldier in the British Empire. Major Percy Black was also awarded the DSO, DCM, and Croix de Guerre and was regarded by many of his contemporaries as the bravest man in the AIF - a remarkable achievement for a thirty-eight year old gold fossicker with no previous military experience.
