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Outside chuch after marriage in sept 1939.

Fay in BBC television play 1947

DFC was instituted in 1918 for award to officers and warrant officers of the Air Forces and the Fleet Air Arm recommended for an act or acts of valor, courage and devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Bars are awarded for subsequent acts.

Dougal born 1916 in Northumberland, England.

The Royal Fusiliers of Northumberland, 4th Battalion (Territorial Army) from 1936 to 1942. Lieutenant no. 69288 31st March, 1942 - Territorial Army: Royal North'd. Fus.-War Subs. Lieut. D. Murray (69288) relinquishes his commission on appointment to a commission in the R.A.F.V.R. (dated 11th February, 1942). Gazetted details for: Flying officer Douglas Murray (119128) Granted a commission for the emergency as Pilot Officer on probation in the General Duties Branch (ex Rifle Brigade) of the Volunteer Reserve 26 Febr. 1942 Flying Officer (War Substantive) 1 Oct. 1942 (on probation) Flight Lieutenant (War Substantive) 26 Feb. 1944 Acting Squadron Leader 28 March 1945 Last day of service 4 Sept. 1946

TYNEDALE FOOTBALLER WINS D.F.C.

Two local Rugby footballers, Flying Officer Douglas Murray, R.A.F.V.R., and Flight Lieutenant Winston Mather Burnside, R.A.F.V.R., are among the awards of the D.F.C. announced this week.

Flying Officer Murray is a former member of the Tynedale and Percy Park Clubs, while Flight Lieutenant Burnside played for Northumberland and Rockcliffe.
It was while playing against Tynedale that he sustained an unfortunate injury which prematurely terminated a promising Rugby career.

Flying Officer Murray is the eldest son of Mr. J.L. Murray of Bingfield, and Mrs. Murray of Hexham.
In September 1939 he married Miss Felicity Gower, of Edinburgh, member of the Jesmond Playhouse Company.
He has been in turn in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the Rifle Brigade and since 1941 in the R.A.F.V.R.

 “Fighting spirit”.
On two occasions his aircraft has been badly damaged by A.A. fire, but each time owing to his courage and resourcefulness the plane has been got home.
In January this year his aircraft penetrated deep into Northern France and despite intense opposition did great damage.

“Throughout, Flying Officer Murray’s fine fighting spirit and tenacity has been worthy of the highest praise” says the citation.

A well-known amateur boxer, in 1938 he was runner-up for the Officers’ light-weight title at the Albert Hall.
One of his younger brothers, Angus, was killed last year while serving with the R.A.F.

 “Skilful navigation”
Flight-Lieutenant Burnside gains his award for the “skilful navigation of his aircraft over many targets in the Ruhr, on mine-laying flights and on three occasions to Italy.

“On several occasions his aircraft was in difficulties and despite those experiences flight Lieut. Burnside displayed great coolness, courage and devotion to duty.”
He is the 31 year old son of Mr. And Mrs. Wilfrid Martindale Burnside, his father, a member of the N.E.S.Co. staff, now being engaged on work in the Hexham district.
Flight-Lieutenant Burnside was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in 1940, and later obtained a commission in the R.A.F.V.R.

He is on Old Boy of Tynemouth Grammar School, where he achieved distinction by matriculating at the age of 14.

134 wing VS
Phillips Works

An unsuccessful
"forced landing"

(pilot unhurt)

Died in a car crash in Wycombe Dec. 1947 Honors and awards: Distinguished Flying Cross 12 March 1943  The British, Commonwealth & Polish Air Service Personnel Archive: Douglas Murray The citation for Flying Officer Douglas Murray's Distinguished Flying Cross was published in Flight magazine on 15 April 1943: "F/O. D. MURRAY, R.A.F.V.R., No. 26 Sqn. - This officer has displayed the utmost keenness for operational flying and has taken part in many reconnaissance flights. On two occasions the aircraft in which he was flying has been badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire, but each time owing to his resourcefulness and determination he has successfully flown back to this country.

The Bucks Free Press, Friday, November 21 1947 page 7

One Killed Three Hurt. Vehicles Collide Near Beaconsfield

One Person was Killed and tree injured when the motor car in which they were travelling became involved in a collision with a motor coach on the main London - Oxford road, between Beaconsfield and Ferrards Cross on Sunday night. The dead man was Mr. Douglas Murray aged 29 of 10 Cranley Mews London SW 7, who was a passenger in the car driven by Mr. George Nicol Gilmour, of 54 Princes Gate Mews, London, S.W. 7. Mr. Gilmour, his wife, Mrs. Eileen Gilmour, and a fourth passenger, Mrs. Catherine Joan Miller, of 35 Fitzjohn-avenue, London, N.W. 3, were all injured and taken to High Wycombe War Memorial Hospital. The car was travelling towards London when it became involved in a collision with a Green Line coach driven by Mr. William W. Symington, of Rutland-avenue, High Wycombe, which was travelling in the opposite direction. The inquest on Mr. Murray was opened by the Coroner for South Bucks. Mr. P. Nickson, on Monday, and after evidence of identification was given by Col. David T. Dobie, of 27 Walpole-street, Chelsea, a cousin, the hearing was adjourned until December 18.

The Times 19 Nov. 1947

Rugby Football Douglas Murray, the Rosslyn Park fullback, was killed in a motor accident on Sunday. Murray, who played for Rosslyn Park in every match exept one this season was in the Glenalmond team of 1936 and served in the R.A.F. during the war.

Rosslyn Park link..

He was a better pilot.