Victoria Cross, Lance Corporal James Murray, The Connaught Rangers, 1881 (metal)

VC awarded to Lance Corporal James Murray, 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers, for his actions at Elandsfontein, South Africa, 1881. On 16 January 1881 during the Transvaal War (1880-1881), at Elandsfontein, near Pretoria, Lance Corporal James Murray, with Trooper John Danaher of Nourse’s Horse, advanced for 500 yards, while under heavy fire from about 60 of the enemy, and brought out a severely wounded private from the action zone. Danaher was also awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). Murray as a result of this action was severely wounded and ordered Danaher to make his escape. He was taken prisoner by the Boers but released soon after. Murray was born in 1857 and died in Dublin in July 1942 at the age of 85. He also received the South Africa Medal for the Zulu and Basuto Wars 1877-79, with clasp for 1879, and the King George VI Coronation Medal 1937 (both displayed here).