TRACEY, Murray

Private Murray Tracey was born in Rosebury, South Australia in 1894. At the time of his enlistment on 25 March, 1915, his father was deceased and mother Mary Tracey was residing at 1002 Hoddle Street, East Melbourne. Murray's occupation was listed as drover.

Murray spent two months at Broadmeadows Depot before embarking from Melbourne on the HMAT EuripidesA14 for Alexandria with the 24th Battalion D Company. He spent a short time training near Cairo then joined the MEF arriving at the Gallipoli Peninsula on 30 August, 1915. Early November he was transferred to the hospital ship 'Glenar Castle' with suspected Diptheria. He was taken to the No 2 Australian General Hospital in Cairo where a diagnosis of tonsillitus was made. Early April 1916 he was taken on strength to join the 59th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir,embarking from Alexamdria on the 18 June, 1916 for Marseilles on the 'Kinfauns Castle'.

Only at the Western Front for less than a month, Murray was Killed in Action on 19 July 1916 near Fromelles. His body was never recovered, presumed buried in No Man's Land. His memorial is located at VC Corner Australian Cemetery & Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, France. His name can be found on the Australian War Memorial 145 Roll of Honour Cards, and Commemorates on Panel 169.