The Murray Family
Dennis William Murray’s story
I didn’t know much about my Anglo-Indian family’s links to the world wars. But the My Family Legacy campaign compelled me to go through old boxes in my attic, and the more I dug the more enlightened I became of my family’s legacy.
My maternal grandfather, William Trinidad was in the British Indian Army. My mum had said during World War Two they had fled Burma and moved to India. As a child, she would hear bomb’s dropping, mimicking the whistling sound – not realising that bombs were dropping and she needed to run. A woman grabbed her arm and made her run.
Mum recalled how they would walk a lot at that time – moving from place to place to avoid the conflict. My grandad was serving in the war and my gran was keeping the family alive.
Meanwhile, my dad, Donald Anthony Murray, ran away from home aged 15 to join the British Indian Navy because he wanted to take up boxing. When the Navy found out his age they brought him back home and were willing to enlist him but his mum – my paternal grandmother – refused.
The treasure trove of my family’s history in the attic has revealed that my father did become a boxer at some point – as you can see from his certificate. And he enlisted in the British Indian Army from August 1943–March 1946. Pictured are my parents some years later on their wedding day.
My dad’s father, Dennis Forrester Murray, was born in India to Irish parents. My grandad worked in the railways, which was a reputable career. I have found his train driver’s certificate, which has just about stayed together over the years.
Anglo-Indians lived a first-class life in British India. Once India got independence, my parents moved abroad. They were very aware that Anglo-Indians would be treated differently after self-rule. So, they moved to England and all my father's siblings (13 including him) moved to different parts of the world. It now means I have family all over the globe.
Decades on, I have continued my family’s legacy of service by joining Thames Valley Police and proud to be one of the most senior British Asian officers in the country. My son, Samuel Forrester Murray, followed his grandfather’s footsteps, and is Leading Hand with the Royal Navy Submarine Service.
The picture below shows all four generations of my family – from left to right – my grandfather, father, me and my son.
People from all cultures and backgrounds served in the world wars, and that legacy continues. In Britain today we have people from across the Commonwealth serving the armed forces and police service to represent the country.
I have never been to India but would like to take my children there when they’re a bit older to have a better understanding of our family’s roots.
From left to right: my grandfather, Dennis Forrester Murray; my father, Donald Anthony, Murray; me and my son, Samuel Forrester Murray.