Thomas Murdoch (engineer)

Brigadier Thomas Murdoch, DSO (16 April 1876 – 13 July 1961) was an Australian military engineer who served in both the First and Second World Wars. Having retired from the military in 1937, he was recalled and served as Director General of engineer services during the Second World War.

Thomas Murdoch
Born(1876-04-16)16 April 1876
Milawa, Victoria
Died13 July 1961(1961-07-13) (aged 85)
Geelong, Victoria
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1901–1930
1939–1941
RankBrigadier
Commands heldDirector General of Engineer Services (1940–41)
1st Pioneer Battalion (1918)
Battles/warsFirst World War Second World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches
RelationsMajor General Ian Murdoch (son)
Air Marshal Sir Alister Murdoch (son)

Murdoch served in the 1st Pioneer Battalion, Australian Imperial Force in France and Flanders, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[1]

On 25 April 1905 at Elsternwick, Melbourne, he married Kathleen Tiernan; they had two daughters and three sons, who included Major General Ian Murdoch and Air Marshal Sir Alister Murdoch. Predeceased by his wife and a daughter, Murdoch died at Geelong on 13 July 1961 and was buried in Geelong Western Cemetery with Presbyterian forms.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 1 January 1919, Australian honours.
  2. ^ Ronald McNicoll, 'Murdoch, Thomas (1876–1961)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed 4 February 2014.