from Bill Conroy
In the First World War, my father was wireless operator and Sandy Murray was the fourth Officer on HMT Nestor, a Blue Funnel Line ship, taken over for the war effort. They became lifelong friends. Captain Murray was a revered figure in our family and I can recall him visiting our home at Hill End in Brisbane on two occasions, when I was seven years of age. I am also sure that Dad would have visited the ship while it was in port. I remember the occasions well.
Captain Murray’s first visit would have been on a weekend as I can recall sitting in Dad’s workshop, with all its radio gadgetry, listening to the two men yarning. It’s amazing the things you remember! Dad’s favourite pipe tobacco was Full Strength Capstan. His only source of supply during the war years was when Sandy Murray spotted some on his travels overseas and was able to send or bring some to my father.
His second and final visit was only a couple of weeks, I think, before the sinking. He had dinner with Mum, Dad, my three sisters, and myself. On departure to go back to his ship he kissed my mother goodbye and thanked her for the meal. She said to him: “You take care of yourself out there Sandy”. To which he replied: “Don’t worry about me, Mary, we are always all lit up, you know”. Given the events to follow it is little wonder that I remember the words so well. When the news broke you can imagine how distraught my parents were, particularly my father.
I came home from school that fateful day to find my father already home and I was told the terrible news. When I asked what had happened to Capt. Murray, Dad replied. “He went down with his ship”. His devastation was acute.
The Murrays, Sandy and his wife were both from Scotland, but resided in Cottesloe, Perth before and during the war. I am not sure if Mrs Murray returned to Scotland when the war ended but she possibly did. I do know that the Blue Funnel Line gave her a world trip, and she visited our home in Brisbane in 1953 as part of that trip. My mother had died by that time.
