B.B.C. COMMENTATOR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 October 1941, Page 6

8.8. C. COMMENTATOR

SOLDIER, MUSICIAN, SPORTSMAN Major Alan Murray, one of the 8.8. C. news commentators who is heard daily in the Empire Service, is a man of varied talents. A director of the Royal Academy of Music, Aide-de-camp to the Duke of Abercorn (Governor of Northern Ireland), composer of “I’ll Walk beside you," and of the Iraq National Anthem. . . these are some of the activities of this manysided man. He received a commission in the Seaforth Highlanders in 1913. and served on Lord Allenby’s staff in Iraq and Palestine in the last war. His experienc of military affairs both at Home and abroad makes his war commentary particularly valuable, especially in connection with any situation arising in the Middle East. He was a friend of the late King Feisal laid knows General Wavell intimately. 'Major Alan Murray is probably the only distinguished soldier who has played the violin in orchestras conducted by Sir Henry Wood, Sir Edward Elgar and Sir Adrian Boult, and the piano in Ray Noble's dance band in Radio City. But he is not merely a fine instrumentalist, he is a composer with many songs and orchestral works to his credit. Last but not least he is a sportsman and a first-class shot whose greatest pride is that he once had three pat ridges dead in the air at once.