Australians Called Him "Mad Harry" | Most Decorated WWI Soldier - Part I

August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme: ‘A’ Company, 13TH Battalion, Australian Imperial Infantry (AIF), stand with bayonets fixed in their trenches anticipating the whistle blasts that will signal their turn to ‘go over the top’ and assault their objective at Mouquet Farm. They are commanded by Captain Harry Murray, one of the finest officer’s in the AIF. As they wait, the Germans open up a sudden fierce barrage and the diggers crouch down as the awful shrieks of shells rend the air and explode all around them. ‘A’ Company and the rest of the 13th Battalion take casualties, as do the two battalions on either side.
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Sources:
adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murr...
Bravest: How Some of Australia’s Greatest war Heroes Won Their Medals, Robert Macklin, 2005
Victoria Cross: Australia’s Finest And The Battles They Fought, Anthony Staunton, 2006
The Landing At Anzac 1915, Australian Army Campaign Series, Chris Roberts, 2013
The August Offensive At Anzac 1915, Australian Army Campaign Series, David W. Cameron, 2011
The Great War, Les Carlyon, 2006
The Battles Of Bullecourt 1917, Australian Army Campaign Series, David Combes, 2017
ard Jacka: The Story Of A Gallipoli Legend, Michael Lawriwsky, 2007
William Holmes: The Soldiers’ General, Geoffrey Travers, 2020
sjmc.gov.au/mad-harry-led-front/
Return Of The Gallipoli Legend: Jacka VC, Michael Lawriwsky, 2010
ULYSSES FILES is a KZbin channel dedicated to showcasing primarily military history content (plus certain other topics) in short documentary form, featuring interesting and quirky characters and stories from the late 19th Century on through the 1st and 2nd World Wars to the present.
It is not always possible to find 100% accurate footage to illustrate these cinematic short films, but where possible ULYSSES FILES strives to keep it authentic. Background music will always attempt to provide appropriate emotional mood.
Topics and content are thoroughly researched and portrayed in their historical context for both educational and entertainment purposes. We try our best to be accurate in terms of the data in our short films, but are not experts in all areas and are always learning new things, so if we get something wrong - please feel free to contact us. Also if you have an idea you believe may fit the scope of our channel - again - do not hesitate to let us know.
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[@UlyssesFiles]

Just to note, the reason why we went with the Red Ensign in the thumbnail pic instead of the Australian Blue is - as several subscribers pointed out in a previous video on Lawrence McCarthy - that the AIF seemed to have fought under this flag. Here's one link that explains this quite clearly, though there are several good sources about this on the web: www.ausflag.com.au/red_ensign.asp

[@user-ro9zx8mk5h]

Another great Tasmanian and Australian with his men doing what I know I would be scared to do, some men on both sides seemed to be born to fight in the war's ❤ANZAC spirit still lives on ❤

[@keithdrower9120]

Evandale is a beautiful town. Iconic. He must have been a true Aussie.....! A real treasure....! What a hero.....!

[@user-ro9zx8mk5h]

It's a beautiful town for sure, Tasmania is like looking back to the start of the century, I'm glad we didn't knock down the old building so they could put highways through them, I'm a Tassie boy and love still travelling around the state than go to the mainland or overseas, plus it's gives you more money to spend around all the great places ❤

[@justjosie1163]

Thank you for another informative video. The First World War breaks my heart. The flower of Western youth lost in a senseless slaughter between brothers. Still, I respect all those who gave so much.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Thanks Josie, yes it was literally just slaughter.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Mad Harry wasn’t mad at all, despite his moniker. An incredibly brave man and the most decorated soldier in the British and Commonwealth Armies of WWI ❤

[@theedain]

Aussies seem to have been pretty hardcore in the war 😜

[@lucyenzed102]

I think Chavasse and Martin-Leake are the most highly decorated soldiers of W1, with a VC and Bar apiece?

[@Golden-dog88]

how do people NOT understand a nickname? He was called Mad Harry due to his heroics and determination NOT TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND, no matter the circumstances Harry n his men held the ground untill they couldnt n thats why he was awarded the moniker of mad Harry

[@Golden-dog88]

@@lucyenzed102yea they earned them but Harry is Australia’s most decorated during WW1

[@thelastaustralian7583]

The highest loss of non commissioned Officers in World war One were the Australians ! You know why ?

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

Thanks Coba another piece of Aussie History. I show my Children and their mates when they come over, how lucky we are to a few generations of beautiful quality people from all walks of life. I personally believe that ALL AUSSIES should serve a minimum of 12 months basic training and learn the ropes of a world famous Military. I think it would do 95% of people nothing but good in their heart and healthy for their minds. Keeping them strong and most of all. Undivided and UNITED, Especially when it comes to the love of one’s way of life and the love of their nation AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍❤️

[@UlyssesFiles]

Yep National Service is definitely character building. Thanks for a great comment! 🙌🏻🍻

[@alanmacpherson3225]

I don't think generation z could cope without their phones if they had to do military service. Mind you it might get rid of some of their wokeness.

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

@@alanmacpherson3225 yeah I often ponder how would I be if I was living as a teenager in their world today. Poor kids someone dropped the ball BIG time. And it would take a miracle for this to change. My personal belief is we will be fighting for our lives by the end of 2025 ABSOLUTELY NO LATER. THIS TIME THE ENEMY HAS DONE HER HOMEWORK VERY WELL INDEED. AND A GREAT CHANGE IS COMING. SADLY THE MAJORITY HAVE BEEN SO CLEVERLY BRAINWASHED INTO LIVING FOR BIG TVS AND FAST FORDS AND HOLDEN. I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY ISNT THERE EVAN IS AN MILITIA IN EACH STATE FORMING RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE EVERYTHING OUR CLOSE FRIENDS TO NORTH NEED DESPERATELY BUT CANT STAND LITTLE Australia poking a SUPER POWER IN THE EYE. SOME OF THE TEEN WHERE I LIVE A GOOD LADS THEY ARE ABOUT. JUST A RARE COMMODITY AND A PRODUCT OF THE EXTREME LEFT.👍🇦🇺

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

BINGO !! Just madness HEY ABSOLUTE ALMOST LIKE IM HAVING A VERY VERY LONG BAD DREAM. JUST BEGGING TO WAKE UP AND BREATHE A SYH OF RELIEF THEN VOMIT FOR A DAY FOR ALL THE DISTURBING SHIT I WITNESSED.

[@Skipper.17]

Percy black has a great story as well. It’s worth a video of its own.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Yes true, must confess I was amazed at how quickly he rose through the ranks, and he was every bit as expert, brave and a leader of men as Harry. We tried but just couldn’t find more than that 1 photo of him - the one with the machine gun. It’s a v iconic one though.

[@roscoewhite3793]

I second that. Harry Murray and Percy Black were brothers in arms, and united in their courage; Black received many medals for gallantry before he was killed in action. Murray called Black "the bravest and coolest of all the brave men I know".

[@UlyssesFiles]

Yes, his story is just as incredible as Harry’s and a tad more poignant given that he was kia. Hope we did him a little justice in the video ❤️

[@crocodiledundee8685]

Fun fact about Harry that you forgot to include is that his father, Edward was a strict disciplinarian who pulled Harry out of school at the age of 14 because he wanted help on the farm & didn’t think his youngest son was smart enough until his three elder brothers who were allowed to attend the prestigious Launceston Church Grammar School. Harry never forgave him but it didn’t stop him from developing a lifelong love for writing.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Ah yes, that’s right. His father must have been a real bundle of joy to be around 😆

[@UlyssesFiles]

What did you think of us doing it in 2 parts?

[@crocodiledundee8685]

I’m ok with it. So long as you include my bibliography in the final part so that others can find out more about him if they so wish. I looking forward to your coverage of the Battles of Stormy Trench & Bullecourt.

[@UlyssesFiles]

First time we tried posting in shorter parts. Let’s see how it goes down.

[@NoName-ds5uq]

This is very interesting, as I didn’t know about him before this! I need,to do some research clearly! I was born in Launceston, raised in Hobart and apart from my time in the Navy decades ago have spent most of my life in Tassie. I love travelling Australia(I’m heading to WA in 6 weeks for a visit) but I love to come back. We’ve all heard about Teddy Sheean and rightly so! My cousin served aboard HMAS Sheean. The first major naval unit in the RAN to be named after a junior sailor. I watched the Freedom of Entry march they did in Latrobe. My cousin was a part of it. She was a third generation RAN sailor. 5 of us traveled up from Hobart and she showed us through the “Guzunder”. There are so many more of these heroes though! Common in those days was a short education. I was very close to my grandfather who was born in 1909. He told me about wagging school to drive a horse and cart loaded with bricks for his father when he was 14 to the under-construction Cadbury factory in Claremont in the 1920s and how a certain officer on point duty at a certain intersection would very literally turn around and “look the other way way”. He knew the route to take…

[@nihilmiror6312]

So pleased to see you used the correct WWI Aussie flag! 👍👍👍🫡🇦🇺🦘

[@UlyssesFiles]

Thanks for noticing that! 😄🙌🏻🍻

[@adrianloney8009]

His statue is quite impressive. Soldiers walk in Hobart is mostly Moquet Farm fallen

[@self-studyenglisheveryday3952]

Another great character 👏🏻

[@ray.shoesmith]

Ive been waiting for someone to cover Mad Harry. Well done 👍

[@UlyssesFiles]

Thanks Phil! 🙌🏻🍻

[@jeremygreen3392]

They survived the war??! Amazing in itself!! Well done men!

[@wangtianlong1]

Murray did. Black was killed on 11 April 1917 during the first battle of Bullecourt.

[@jf7243]

Just a small point, you described the allied withdrawal from Gallipoli as infamous but give no substance. The AIF withdrawal, on the contrary was famous. Famous for its ingenuity with improvised timing devices on unmanned rifles and many other tricks to make the Turks think the positions were still manned. The retreat occurred with very few losses indeed and was brilliantly executed.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Yes, good point, if we did this again we’d definitely go into that…

[@ray.shoesmith]

Hamilton expected a 60% casualty rate evacuating ANZAC. Brudenell White's planning resulted in 2 divisions withdrawing from directly under the Turks noses at the cost of one man injured (ankle).

[@UlyssesFiles]

An amazing operation. Worth a video on its own…

[@oldmanriver1955]

Can I add that, whilst the red ensign was used in WW1 due to a shortage of the national flag, the blue ensign was then and is now the national flag of Australia.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Didn’t the blue flag only get approved later on, in 1954… And I heard/read that the AIF used the red ensign out of choice…

[@user-hz9hn1gr2h]

Another wonderful story

[@UlyssesFiles]

Glad you think so, thanks 🙌🏻🍻

[@kiwigaming1605]

Can’t wait for part 2! Great as usual!

[@UlyssesFiles]

Coming soon. Cheers kiwigaming! 🙌🏻🍻

[@roscoewhite3793]

I have a suggestion; the story of Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Private Sidney Godley, who were awarded the first Victoria Crosses of the Great War, for their courage during the Battle of Mons in 1914.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Hi, funny you should mention them, we were looking at their story just yesterday. Private Godley manning that machine gun was epic wasn’t it. We’d love to put them on the list, thanks Roscoe 🙌🏻🍻

[@theedain]

Cheers for another decent biog mate 👍🏻

[@UlyssesFiles]

No problem 🙌🏻🍻

[@Quasnob]

Read a good book on Mad Harry years back. Pretty mad all his medals and actions.

[@geoffballe8766]

Excellent

[@UlyssesFiles]

Thank you! Cheers! 🙌🏻🍻

[@jessebell1930]

Mad Harry, as you have said, wasn't mad at all. His actions were different to Albert Jacka's. He had to buck himself up. Jacka didn't. Mad Harry was a normal man put into abnormal circumstances and did great by his men. Jacka was an abnormal man put in abnormal circumstances and did great by his men. Both are excellent in their own ways😊

[@evanevans1843]

Harry Murray was a man's man and a true warrior. He was also very smart, being very innovative in the use of Machine Guns. This developed knowledge was applied well by Lt Gen John Monash. It has been suggested that this knowledge was an integral part of the winning of the last 100 days of WWI including the Battle Amiens.

[@UlyssesFiles]

V informative- thanks Evan. We’d like to do something on Gen. Sir John Monash in the future

[@evanevans1843]

Lots to pick from with the Aussies. There is also quite a number who were awarded medals for gallantry both as enlisted men and as officers eg MC, MM, MC, DCM, DSO, DCM other combinations. I think there are a couple of 100 from Australia. Richard Clay from SW UK, is compiling all of them across the Imperial forces.@@UlyssesFiles

[@evanevans1843]

ps you are doing a good job. Keep up the good work. Good idea to put divide Murray into 2 parts. Keep up the good work. By the way, I live in Hobart, so Murray is a big deal in this state in particular.🙃@@UlyssesFiles

[@UlyssesFiles]

Thanks for the info. Yes lots of pickings there - incredible how many characters Australia has produced in this realm of military history. Many have heard of the likes of Albert Jacka and Sir J. Monash, however there are loads of equally great individuals out there that are little remembered now

[@evanevans1843]

Of course you would be most welcome to visit the "crumb" of the "loaf." A top spot, particularly after Christmas in the Summer. Where do you hail from. @@UlyssesFiles

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

`Straya mate

[@user-bc5nl6uq5t]

Lt joseph maxwell VC MC and bar DCM would be a close second

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

My Father served in Vietnam and he told me a funny story. Now weather it’s true or not?. He said that near the end of his basic training he was in the Royal Engineers Corps. He was known as a Tunnel rat. Tho he very rarely spoke about his role in country. Anyway so the lads were asked what would they like to consider as what role they may like to be involved in the military. Tho this was rare to receive what you wanted to do. This young private says I don’t care sir I just wish to KIA the enemy and as many as he could KIA. The Sargent training the lads . Looks at him hard in the eyes. THEN YELLS OUT RIGHT YOUR GOING TO THE MACHINE GUN COMPANY. AND SO HE DID. ITS ESTIMATED HE TOOK WELL OVER 300 enemy fighters. And made it back to WESTERN AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺. SADLY HE COULDN’T COPE AND 2 years after going home he took his own life. All these lost memories of these famous soldiers !. This is truly inspiring to hear about. Thank you sir 100% makes me extremely proud to be an Australian 🇦🇺.😊

[@UlyssesFiles]

That’s a sad story - but thanks for telling it. Echoes of Harry there in what you say about the machine gun company. Definitely the greatest killer at least in the 1st WW along with artillery

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

@@UlyssesFiles yes sir agreed. You have to big set of knackers to mow down person after person. Until the bodies our 6 meters stacked high. Definitely bad ass no doubt Mad Harry was. May he forever not be forgotten. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺❤️❤️👍

[@keza3250]

He was a professional timber cutter most of his life in Australia and cut timber for a living in Australia and new Zealand the valuable kauri pine found in Australia and new Zealand I hope you mentioned how he cut down enemy troops with a wood axe Ha ha after the war he returned to cutting timber for a living

[@UlyssesFiles]

Very interesting comment, thank you 🙌🏻🍻

[@stevebrickshitta870]

Had a chuckle at 'railway sleeper carpenter'. Sleeper cutter. Backbreaking, and I'm guessing it would have been on WA hardwoods, some of the toughest timbers around. Hard yakka out in that WA sun as well. A special breed of tough. He probably joined up to have a break! A special breed of tough

[@evilstorm5954]

Albert Jacka enters the chat…..

[@evilstorm5954]

Where’s the rest of the story?

[@wangtianlong1]

'AIF': Australian Imperial Force.

[@thaoluongthi467]

❤❤❤

[@twrampage]

He spent three weeks in hospital to get promoted again to captain? What on Earth happened in that hospital? :)

[@user-ro9zx8mk5h]

The nurses put in a lot of time for their patients, give's the soldiers a get up and go feeling ❤❤❤

[@thaoluongthi467]

❤❤❤❤

[@kelly916]

Sad that Aussies have turned to mere shadows of the older generations 😂

[@peterwebb8732]

Kinda curious as to why you’d depict him with the Australian Red Ensign in the background. At Federation, Australia adopted two flags. The Blue Ensign was the formal national flag of the new Federal Government, and was restricted to Federal services and institutions. The Red Ensign was the flag designated for non-Federal services and private Australians who wished to fly their nation’s flag. The Blue Ensign was flown as Australia’s flag during the 1904 Olympics, was formally designated as the “Saluting Flag” by the Australian Army in (from memory) 1908, and flew over all Australian military installations, and was declared the “Battle Flag” on all RAN warships in 1911. During both World Wars, patriotic Australians increasingly wanted to fly the same flag that their troops marched under, and during WW2 the Government actively encouraged the universal adoption of the Blue Ensign despite not formalising the new policy in legislation until some years after the War. In supporting the legislation, the PM - Sir Robert Menzies - made it clear that the legislation was not creating anything new, but that it was enshrining in law the reality that already existed. Don’t misunderstand me. I like - and own - both versions of the Australian Flag. There are, no doubt, examples of the Red Ensign being carried by troops in WW1. That is because families sent the troops the flags that they had available, not because it was the designated flag of the AIF. The Red Ensign was, and remains, the flag of the Australian Merchant marine and may be flown by privately owned vessels. Cheers…

[@UlyssesFiles]

Hi great question - it seems that the AIF used the the Red Ensign in the 1st World War. I didn’t know this until several Aussie subscribers let me know, and I looked it up. There’s a lot of confusion out there over it. This is a useful link for researching though there are several others too:- ausflag.com.au/red_ensign.asp

[@peterwebb8732]

@@UlyssesFiles Unfortunately a lot of confusion on the subject, is due to political agendas related to the Republican movement. However the terms of the original competition from which the Flag was chosen, specified a Blue version for the Commonwealth, and a Red version for private use. The Red one was flown a lot, because it was readily available, being manufactured for sale to the public. It’s not surprising that citizen-soldiers took Red Ensigns with them,, or that they were used at times. However the idea that there was some sort of conspiracy to replace one flag with another, seems without foundation. As has been pointed out, black-and-white photographs result in different shades of grey between the body of the flag and the blue background of the Union Jack. In the BlueEnsign, there is no such contrast. Happy scanning.

[@UlyssesFiles]

It does seem rather a controversy, when we went with the blue background we got tons of comments and now it’s red it’s just the same 😜😂😆. Perhaps we should just stick to a bw photo and be ambiguous 😅🙌🏻🍻

[@peterwebb8732]

@@UlyssesFiles Well this is the internet… where , no matter what you say, you can always find an argument. Thanks for the discussion, and thanks for highlighting one of ours.

[@UlyssesFiles]

Very true. But it’s ok when done respectfully. Thanks Peter 🍻

[@greiginvietnam]

imagine throwing gen z or the woke culture into a trench? Great video sir!

[@UlyssesFiles]

Hey there brother, how’s it going 🙌🏻🍻

[@catlikepizzagaming8280]

Australian infantry led by an American captain?

[@UlyssesFiles]

American captain?

[@catlikepizzagaming8280]

@@UlyssesFiles 0.06 seconds tell me the country that uses that rank badge?

[@UlyssesFiles]

Ahh ok - we try to match the footage used but allow us some grace, WW1 reels are limited so occasionally badges might not quite match but hopefully the general stuff eg uniforms will… Congratulations on your ‘eagle eye’ 😅😆 and hope you enjoyed anyway fella 🙌🏻