Canada, Commonwealth. A Grvi Memorial Cross, To Flight Lieutenant Murray, Rcaf

George VI (F.L R.W. MURRAY G9007). Naming is engraved. In sterling silver, maker marked with the Roden Brothers of Toronto insignia and marked "STERLING" on the reverse, light contact and surface wear, better than very fine.

Footnote: Robert Wallace Murray was born on June 21, 1906 in Toronto, York County, Ontario, the son of William Murray and Margaret (nee McHarg) Murray of Toronto. Both his parents were born in Scotland, his father employed as a Naval Architect and later dying from pneumonia. Young Robert Murray attended Withrow Public School from 1913 to 1919, then Central Technical School from 1920 to 1923, both in Toronto, and left school at the age of 15 for financial reasons, having completed part of his third year of high school. He was later able to further his education by taking two years of Night School, studying Mathematics. His hobbies and interests included fishing, hockey, soccer, softball and swimming, as well as belonging to the Masonic Order. He married Madeline Eunice Armstrong (born in North Bay, Ontario) on January 28, 1929 in Toronto, the couple later having two daughters, Joan Athol Murray (born June 13, 1934 in Toronto) and Gayle Elinore Murray (born January 5, 1940 in Toronto). He was employed in the Sales Department at Crane Limited in Toronto, from 1925 to 1935, followed immediately afterwards by his taking up the position of Assistant Manager with Ontario Plumbing and Heating Supplies in Toronto. He had fractured his tibia and scapula in 1939, with "no sequelae" (a pathological condition resulting from a disease, injury, therapy, or other trauma) detected, making a complete recovery. His habits including smoking fifteen cigarettes a day and drinking six pints of beer per week. Murray was employed with Ontario Plumbing and Heating Supplies and was a resident of Toronto, when he signed his Royal Canadian Air Force Officer's Application and Record Sheet, on September 8, 1941. In his Officer Application for Administrative Officer, dated October 21, 1941, it was noted by the assessing officer that Murray had a "Very pleasant manner. Looks as if he had plenty of go and initiative. Intelligence and ability above average. Reliable. Would be good at handling staff. Executive experience. Adaptable. Recommended for Administrative Appointment." He officially enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force (C/9007) on November 29, 1941 at the School of Administration in Trenton, Ontario, at the age of 35, naming his next-of kin as his wife, Madeleine Murray of Toronto, stating that he was Married, that his religion was United Church of Canada and that he was assured a position with the firm he left after the war. Murray was transferred to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School at Fingal, Ontario on December 29, 1941. He was assessed a little over a year later, on January 3, 1943, as being "nervous, high-strung and a willing worker" and that "his judgement is not always sound".

However, his fortunes would change, and as of September 7, 1943. He was transferred to No. 5 Radio School at Clinton, Ontario (the former No. 31 Radio Direction Finding (Radar) School) on April 17, 1944, where he was declared to be "An outstanding administrative officer" and deemed "quite capable of assuming increased responsibilities" on April 19th. In his Personal Assessment Report from the RCAF, dated June 21, 1944, Temporary Flying Officer Murray scored well: Appearance & Bearing (neat, meets all ordinary regiments); Mental Alertness (exceptionally quick to understand what is required); Power of Expression (states what he means clearly); Self-Confidence (appears so competent that others have confidence in him); Initiative (has excellent ideas and does not hesitate to present them); Energy & Persistence (vigorous, enthusiastic in all he undertakes); Accuracy & Reliability (can rely upon him to successfully complete the most difficult jobs); Co-Operation (definitely promotes harmony and good will among his associates); Interest in Station Activities (usually participates in Station activities); Leadership (able to provide good leadership); Service Knowledge (surpasses others in keeping up to date with his service knowledge); Trade Proficiency (superior, knows his work and does it well); Administrative Ability (outstanding organizer, produces excellent results promptly); Loyalty (always strengthens the hand of those whim he serves). He was posted to No. 2 Release Centre on December 9, 1944 and was sent overseas to England, for service in the European theatre, on December 18th. Murray was posted to RAF Manston, Kent. By April 5, 1945, it was noted that "after completion of eight months in the acting rank" acting as an Adjutant with No. 406 Squadron, that he be recommended for the temporary rank effective August 1, 1944. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he returned to Canada, where on September 1, 1945, the RCAF authorities summed up his career in the service: "This officer has done a truly outstanding job & (is) a pillar of strength to the Squadron. An exceptional Adjutant and (an) excellent officer in every respect." He was posted to No. 1 Repatriation Depot on September 10, 1945, then to the Composite Training School (Non-Effective Strength) on September 20, 1945. Flight Lieutenant Murray was at No. 4 Release Centre in Toronto on November 9. 1945, when he was Honourably Released (Medically Category - ApBp), planning to return to civilian life, the RCAF recognizing that he "Has (an) outstanding record in the Service for devotion to duty. Was recommended for (an) M.B.E. for the splendid way in which he did all his work. 'His reliability and loyalty has gained the respect of seniors and juniors alike. Seldom a day passes without demands being made upon his ability to smooth out some problem in organization or personnel....has acted on every station committee and in every case has accepted the added responsibilities with enthusiasm. His devotion to duty has been an inspiration to all those with whom he has associated.' Can make his own plans." Although he became an officer in good standing, his health failed him. C/9007 Flight Lieutenant Robert Wallace Murray died on November 24, 1947 in Montreal, Québec at the age of 41, his death attributed to "coronary occlusion due to atherosclerosis" (coronary artery disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries caused by atherosclerosis, the latter being the buildup of fatty deposits and inflammatory cells (called plaque) on the inner walls of the arteries that restricts blood flow to the heart), along with "diaphragmatic pleurisy and hypertension" (pleurisy being an inflammation of the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs. There are many possible causes of pleurisy but viral infections spreading from the lungs to pleural cavity are the most common; hypertension, AKA high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms. Long-term high blood pressure, however, is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia). He is buried in Toronto (Park Lawn) Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Grave Reference: Sec. T. T T Lot 466, his grave marker inscribed "In MEMORY OF R. WALLACE MURRAY / BELOVED HUSBAND OF MADELEINE E. ARMSTRONG / 1906-1947" and is commemorated on page 618 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945. In a letter dated October 18, 1949 at Ottawa, the Canadian Pensions Commission Appeal Board determined that his death was related to his military service. In a letter addressed to his wife, Madeleine Murray, from Wing Commander W.R. Gunn, RCAF Casualties Office, dated January 14, 1950, Gunn informed her that both she and her mother-in-law, Margaret Murray (Murray's mother) would each be receiving a Memorial Cross shortly and that he needed an updated address for Margaret Murray, in order to forward her the Cross.