Captain Thomas B McMurray MBE, MB

Thomas Barry McMurray was granted an emergency commission in The Royal Army Medical Corps on 20 June 1942 and volunteered for airborne forces.

He attended Course 25 which ran at RAF Ringway from 31 August to 8 September 1942 and joined 127 Parachute Field Ambulance shortly after.

He was subsequently awarded the MBE for outstanding surgical services in support of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade in Italy and Southern France. The citation records:

"Captain McMurray has been a Graded Surgical Specialist in this Unit since January 1943. Throughout the period 3 Dec 43 - 27 May 44 that the Brigade Group was functioning as an Infantry Brigade within 8th Army he was continuously employed in Forward Surgery doing much skilful work.
On 15 August 1944 he made a parachute descent with his Surgical Team in the South of France; during his descent he collided in mid-air with a container which resulted in his being unconscious for one hour, in addition he received abrasions of the face and injury to his back.
In spite of this and the fact that he was dropped some miles away from the correct DZ he operated upon 42 cases within 36 hours of landing. The high standard of treatment which these cases received enabled them to undergo a long journey by road and sea without further attention.
The courage and determination which Captain McMurray displayed, irrespective of his physical condition, were an inspiration to all who worked with him.
Subsequently he was admitted to hospital where it was discovered that his spine was injured."

Thomas McMurray relinquished his commission as a result of  injuries sustained in service on 28 February 1946 and returned to civilian life.