Addendum 46: Hubert Leonard Murray CBE

Hubert Leonard Murray (1886 to 1963) was born in Watsons Bay Sydney and was the son of Sir John Hubert Plunkett Murray’s half brother James Aubrey Gibbes Murray. Sir John Hubert Plunkett Murray is discussed in Addendum 45. Hubert Leonard Murray narrowly missed selection for the Australian 1912 summer Olympics swimming team. He was no relation to Sir Jack Keith Murray discussed in Addendum 44.

Hubert Murray moved to Papua in 1909 to become his uncle’s Assistant Private Secretary, and was the Official Secretary from 1916. He served on the Legislative Council from 1925 and was appointed a Resident Magistrate in 1940.

On the death of his uncle John Hubert Murray, Hubert Leonard Murray was appointed Administrator (the renamed Lieutenant-Governor role) of Papua, a position he held until the declaration of military rule in February, 1942. At such time he returned to Sydney.

HL Murray died aged 76 in Manly on 10 December, 1963.