Joe Murray (rugby league) explained

Joe Murray (1887–1944) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s, 1910s and 1920s. He played for Newtown and North Sydney in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition as a lock but also played as a second rower.

Playing career

Murray made his debut for Newtown in 1908 which was the inaugural year that the NSWRL competition began. In 1910, Murray was a member of the Newtown side which won their first-ever premiership drawing with South Sydney 4–4 in the grand final. Newtown were declared premiers after the match had concluded because they had finished the regular season in first place. In 1912 and 1913, Murray represented New South Wales on four occasions.

War service

In 1915, Murray joined North Sydney and then enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and went to the Great War.^[2] On 2 June 1917, Joe Murray was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) for bravery and devotion to duty during active service in France.^[3]

After the war, he returned to North Sydney for one last season in 1920. ^[4]

Joe Murray died at Gloucester House (RPA Hospital), Camperdown, New South Wales, on 28 April 1944. ^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Joe Murray - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. Shawn Dollin and Andrew. Ferguson. Rugbyleagueproject.org. 20 November 2018.
2. Web site: MURRAY Joseph : Service Number - 2776 : Place of Birth - Sydney NSW : Place of Enlistment - Sydney NSW : Next of Kin - (Mother) MURRAY Matilda.
3. National Archives Australia https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7984977
4. Web site: Newtown Jets - 1908-2008 - A centenary of rugby league. www.newtownjets.com.
5. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - Death Notice - 29/4/1944 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17883056?searchTerm=joe%20murray