Alexander Edward Murray, 8th Earl of Dunmore (22 April 1871 – 29 January 1962), known by the courtesy title Viscount Fincastle until 1907, was a Scottish peer, soldier and politician.

Early life and colonial military career

Murray was born on 22 April 1871 to Charles Murray, 7th Earl of Dunmore and Lady Gertrude Coke, immediately taking the courtesy title of Viscount Fincastle.

Murray received the Victoria Cross for his actions, becoming the only journalist to be so honoured. and was appointed in command of the battalion with the temporary rank of Lieutenant-colonel 22 January 1902. The battalion numbered 32 officers and 603 men, recruited mainly from the Highlands. They left Edinburgh in April 1902 to embark the SS Galatea for South Africa, where they arrived the following month. The war in South Africa ended shortly after their arrival, and Lord Fincastle stayed until late November, when he returned on the . He relinquished the command of the 31st battalion Imperial Yeomanry in January 1903, and returned to his regiment. For his service in South Africa was Mentioned in Despatches.

  • Lady Mary Elizabeth Murray (1913-2000), married Major Peter Oldfield in April 1937.

He died in London on 29 January 1962

Further reading

  • Wilkins, Philip Aveling, The history of the Victoria Cross, A. Constable, 1904
  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
  • Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
  • Location of grave and VC medal (Golders Green)