Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Murray Ernest Camens Biography 

[i]Murray Ernest Camens was born in 1885, and lived at the address Frederick Street North Kensington, Adelaide South Australia. His mother’s name was Louisa Camens, although I could not find any information relating to his father. It does say that his father used to work in the Indian police force, suggesting that he could have died working in the force or he stayed in India to continue his service.

Before Murray signed up for the War, he worked for the Police Force in South Australia as a Telegraphist following in a similar path as his father.

[ii]In 1914, he applied for the Presidency Volunteer Beugal for 1 year before he enlisted in the war. The Presidency Volunteer Beugal, also known as the Presidents Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA) is a voluntary service that encourages citizens to live a life of service through Presidential Gratitude and National Recognition. The service helps recognise the importance of volunteers who provide support to further honour the soldiers who fought for our country.

[iii]Murray had to fill out a whole load of papers and medical information sheets before he was able to enlist into the war, from a few sheets of paper that he filled out we found out that he had blue eyes, and dark hair. He weighed 144 lbs (which is around 65 kg), he was 5 feet, 11 and a half inches tall, his chest measurement was 40.34 inches when expanded. Skin complexion was described as 'fresh'. His religion was listed as CoE (Church of England).

[iv]Murray Ernest Camens enlisted in the army on the 27th of September 1915. He travelled to Melbourne, Victoria to enlist. Before he embarked to France, he stayed for a couple of months in South Australia, training in a camp called Mitcham Camp located in the inner South West of Adelaide, before embarking on the ship the HMAT A62 Wandilla on November the 9th, 1915, to travel to France, beginning his service. He disembarked on the 17th of November 1915.

On 1st Septmeber 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then on 4th November and  7th of December 1917 he was promoted to 2nd Corporal the latter temporarily replacing 2nd Corporal Brownless who had been promoted himself. Further promotions followed and on 7th of March 1918, he was promoted to Corporal. On 14 March he was promoted to Temporary Seargent and reverted to the rank of Corporl on 31 March 1918.  He returned to Australia aboard HT Sardinia aarriving on 8 June 1919 and he was formally discharged on 27 July 1919.

Whilst Murray was in the army, he earned 3 service medals, the 1914-15 Star Medal, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

[v]The Star Medal was a bronze 4-pointed star, engraved with a crown. It was given to the soldiers who had serviced in specific areas of the war between the 5th of August 1914 and December 31st, 1915.

[vi]The British War Medal had a cupro-nickel with a photo of George V engraved on one side, while on the other side was an image of St George on a horseback, and skull and crossbones. This was awarded to the men of the Mercantile Marine who served at least six months at sea between the 4th of August 1914 and the 11th of November 1918.

[vii]Lastly the Victory Medal was another bronze medal with a winged figure of Victory on one side, the other side had the words ‘The Great War for Civilisation’ engraved. This was awarded to a prescribed soldier who entered a unit of war that was on the field between the 5th of August 1914 and the 11th of November 1918.

[viii]Murray was on leave in the UK from 29 July to 22 September 1918. Shortly after returning from leave he was evacuated to hospital. He like so many other soldiers caught influenza and was still in hospital when the was officially ended.

He joined the RSL not long after he reurned and remained a memeber uintil his death. He died in 1961 at the age of 67.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The qualities needed to be ANZAC are endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, and mateship. These qualities are needed to ensure that you are loyal enough and do whatever you can to help Australia. My soldier showed ANZAC spirit by mainly signing up for the force and supporting Australia. 

[i] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3191635
[ii] https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/
[iii] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3191635
[iv] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3191635
[v] https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/
[vi] https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/
[vii] https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/
[viii] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3191635

Bibliography

-          Rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au. (2018). RSL Virtual War Memorial. [online] Available at: https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/education/resources-for-students [Accessed 15 Mar. 2018].

-          S3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/rslvwm/comfy/cms/files/files/000/000/621/original/Biography_template.pdf [Accessed 22 Mar. 2018].

-          Anon, (2018). [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3191635 [Accessed 15 Mar. 2018].

-          Aif.adfa.edu.au. (2018). Search. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/search [Accessed 22 Mar. 2018].

-          https://www.rogaloffmilitaria.com/1914-15%20Star

-          http://www.medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/h/h6.html

-          http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWI/Victory-Medal.asp

-          https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/australians-western-front/australian-remembrance-trail/windmillpozi%C3%A8res-france