Guide to the Papers of Sydney Richard Murdoch [MSS 345]

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Manuscript Name Papers of Sydney Richard Murdoch
Manuscript Number MSS 345
Last Updated October 2021
Extent 6 cm (3 folders)
Location Special Collections, UNSW Canberra
Abstract The collection comprises 28 letters written by Sydney Richard Murdoch to his sister Rita, and brother-in-law Billy Carlisle from the Middle East and Europe during World War 1. The letters document the experiences of a young Australian soldier from training in Egypt to active service in France and recreation leave in various locations. Collection also includes: a letter and fragment of a letter from "David" to the Carlisles; a printed return thanks card for S.R. Murdoch (deceased) from his parents and family; a letter from Major J.M. Lean to J. Murdoch, together with a description of the locality and photograph of the grave of S.R. Murdoch, and a knotted hank of raw silk.

Scope and Content

This collection comprises letters written by Sydney Richard Murdoch to his sister Rita and brother-in-law Billy Carlisle from Europe during World War I. The letters document the experiences of a young Australian soldier from training in Egypt to active service in France and recreation leave in various locations.

The collection starts with his first letter written from the Red Sea while on board HMAT A72 Beltana and caught the first mail to leave the ship since its departure from Sydney to his last letter from France dated 25/8/1918 describing active service, being shot through the back of his hand and his return to the field. Also included is a printed tribute card for 2nd Lieutenant S.R. (Syd) Murdoch, DCM, 30th Battalion A.I.F. from his parents and family; correspondence from Major J.M. Lean, Base Records Office, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne to J. Murdoch, Esq., "Arnleigh", Clissold St, Katoomba, N.S.W., together with a description of the locality and photograph of the temporary memorial of the late S.R. Murdoch.

Date Range of Content

1915-1920

Organization

The collection has been arranged in box then folder order.

Biographical Note

Sydney Richard Murdoch, DCM, was born at Windsor, New South Wales, the son of John and Mary Murdoch of Katoomba, New South Wales.

He embarked for Egypt on 9 November 1915 on HMAT A72 Beltana. During the First World War he served as a Sergeant with the 30th Battalion Australian Infantry, A.I.F. in Egypt and France prior to receiving his commission to 2nd Lieutenant in 1918. In 1917 he was mentioned in despatches to Sir Douglas Haig, and in 1918 was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Sydney Richard Murdoch was killed in action by shell fire in France on the 3rd September 1918, aged 21 years and 9 months and is buried in Péronne Communal Cemetery Extension, Péronne, France.

References:
National Archuves of Australia, 2007
AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918, War, Army
The purple and gold : a history of the 30th Battalion, compiled by H. Sloan (1938).

Administrative Information

Access

The collection is available for research.

Restrictions on Use

No copying is permitted without the permission of the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Sydney Richard Murdoch, Special Collections, UNSW Canberra, Australian Defence Force Academy, MSS 345, Box [Number], Folder [Number].

Provenance

This collection was acquired from Professor Peter Dennis, February 1998.

Access Terms

Personal Names

Murdoch, Sydney Richard -- Archives.

Murdoch, Sydney Richard -- Correspondence.

Topical Subjects

Soldiers -- Australia -- Correspondence.

World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Australian.

Occupations

Soldiers

Container List

Box 1

Folder 1-2
Letters to Rita and Billy Carlisle from Syd Murdoch, 1915-21/5/1916

Folder 2
Letters to Rita and Billy Carlisle from Syd Murdoch, 15/7/1916-18/11/1917

Folder 3
Letters to Rita and Billy Carlisle from Syd Murdoch, 15/1/1918
One letter and one page fragment of a letter from David to Rita, 1917-1918
Tribute card for 2nd Lieutenant S.R. (Syd) Murdoch, DCM, 30th Battalion A.I.F., from his parents and family, September 1918
Letter from Major J.M. Lean, Base Records Office, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne to J. Murdoch, Esq., "Arnleigh", Clissold St, Katoomba, N.S.W., together with a description of the locality and photograph of the temporary memorial of the late S.R. Murdoch, 31 March 1920