SIMSON, Murray (1891-1946).jpg)
M Simson (Football 1908).
Murray Simson, born on 1 November 1891 to Dundas Simson and Mary Ann nee Armstrong of Telemon Station, Hughenden, Queensland, was enrolled at Geelong College in 1903 by Mrs D Aitken. He probably left in 1908. He was a member of the 1st Football XVIII of 1908 and the 1st Cricket XI in 1907 and 1908.
He gained an academic award in 1904 coming 1st in Arithmetic in Junior College, 3rd Form.
He was working as an orchardist at Tatura when he enlisted (No. 29454) in the AIF on 6 March 1916, embarking as a Bombardier on
HMAT A60 Aeneas from Melbourne on 2 October 1916, and serving in France with 5 Field Artillery Brigade (FAB). He was wounded in action, suffering a gunshot wound to the chest on 3 October 1918, and evacuated to England on 11 October. He took furlough in December 1918, and returned to Australia on
HMT Ulysses, embarking on 18 January 1919.
A news item in the
Shepparton Advertiser in 1922 noted that prior to World War I he had played football for Mooroopna but was now retiring from the game. He was also a golfer.
The
Weekly Times newspaper in December 1934 discussed several veteran country sportsmen including Eric Mayo (OGC) and Murray Simson:
'Now past active participation in cricket and football, Murray Simson, of Tatura, was one of the best known athletes in the Goulburn Valley a few years ago. He excelled at both cricket and football. He gained his grounding in these games while at Geelong Grammar School, (sic Geelong College) under that able coach, Ted Rankin. In his younger days he was a fast bowler, but in later years proved very accurate and successful as a spin bowler. At football he was a brilliant high mark, and an excellent exponent of the stab kick. He is still interested in cricket, and is vice-president of the Tatura Club.' He died at Tatura on 24 Agust 1946. His death was noted by
Pegasus:
'Murray Simson was a nephew of Percy Simson and second son of Dundas Simson, one of the foundation Collegians of 1861. Murray was at the College from 1903 to 1908 and was a member of the XI and XVIII. For a time after leaving school he followed pastoral pursuits. After serving with the first A.I.F. from 1915 to 1918, he took up a fruit block at Tatura. He died on August 24, 1946, and by his will has left £100 to the College War Memorial fund.' Sources: Shepparton Advertiser 26 July 1922 p5; The Weekly Times (Melb) 29 December 1934 p55; Pegasus June 1947 p50; ‘Geelong Collegians at the Great War’ compiled by James Affleck. p309 (citing Alexander Henderson, 'Henderson's Australian Families' (1941); National Archives; The Pegasus).