Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Murray Smith, living on private means, born 1859 in Middlesex and his wife Ellen Murray Smith (nee Strutt, married on the 22nd October 1885 in St. Helena’s Church, West Leake, Nottinghamshire), living on her own means, born 1861 in Kingston on Soar, Nottinghamshire. Arthur George Murray was born on the 27th September 1886 in Middlesex, his siblings were, Geoffrey Murray Smith was born in 1896 in Nottinghamshire and was baptised on the 9th February 1896 in St. Helena’s Church, West Leake, Nottinghamshire and Elizabeth Maud Murray, born 1900 in Gumley, Leicestershire, the family home was at The Bell, Gumley, Arthur was absent from the family home in March 1901. In April 1911 Arthur was living on private means in the family home at Gumley Hall, Gumley, residing there was his father, living on private means, his mother, living on private means and his siblings, John Edward Murray, living on private means, born 1890 in Middlesex and Elizabeth, living on private means. Arthur was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Life Guards on the 16th August 1911, and promoted Lieutenant on the 4th July 1912. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders and died in a German Military Hospital on the 2nd November 1914 from wounds received in action on the 20th October 1914. Arthur was married to Margaret, the youngest daughter of J. S. Ainsworth, of Ardanaiseig, Argylleshire, Scotland, M.P.
The War Diary records: 20 Oct-1914 – Marched at 5.00am to entrench near WESTROOSEBEKE. On arrival at our line found French Infantry partially entrenches already, but they promptly withdrew, so we defended the WESTROOSEBEKE – PASCHENDAELE road by trenching to West of it in the order from the right 1st LIFE GUARDS, ROYAL HORSE GUARDS, ourselves, ROYAL DRAGOONS, 10th HUSSARS, French troops on the left. My horses were concealed behind a wood but soon they had to be moved further back to avoid shells. This led later to some confusion as the Squadrons did not know where their horses had gone. This was the first attempt of the HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY to dig trenches, and they were very welcome as the shell fire for about 2 hours was severe. German attempts to cross the main road with infantry were easily checked by our rifle fire, but the French on the extreme left retired without any warning to us of their intention. The VIth Cavalry Brigade consequently had to go, and we on our turn had to go too in successive Regiments from the left, my Squadrons holding farms to cover the retirement. We were lucky to disengage without losses, as we had to go a long way on foot, and the led horses were in some confusion as stated above. I had orders to hold successive farms on the left of the road by which we retired, and I found myself near POELCAPELLE, whence I went via ST. JULIEN to rejoin the Brigade and ordered at 2.00pm to take up a line facing North to connect with the VIth Cavalry Brigade at ST. JULIEN. Here we remained unmolested in heavy rain until 5.00pm, when we retired to find for ourselves some filthy billets about 3 miles South East of POELCAPELLE. Tired of hearing tremendous shelling and musketry all day and apparently in all directions. Arrival of General Haig at POELCAPELLE reported, and saw outposts of COLDSTREAM GUARDS going out for the night.
On Friday December 24th 1914 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – DEATH OF LIEUT. A. G. MURRAY-SMITH. – We regret to note in the casualty lists the name of Lieut. A. G. Murray-Smith who has died of wounds received in action. Lieut. Arthur George Murray-Smith, 2nd Life Guards, was born in 1886, and got his commission in 1911, and his step in the following year. Mr. Murray-Smith was reported wounded at the end of October. He was the son of Mr. Murray-Smith, of Gumley, chairman of the Midland Railway.
On Friday May 28th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” LIEUT. D. MURRAY-SMITH’S WILL. – Lieut. George Arthur Murray-Smith, 2nd Life Guards, of Gumley Hall, Market Harborough, who was killed in action near Lille, between 31st October last and 3rd November, aged 26 years, left unsettled property of the gross value of £5,754 17s., with net personality £3,159 11s. 4d. He died intestate, leaving no real estate, and his widow has renounced administration of his property, both on her own behalf and that of her infant son, Anthony George, letters of administration have been granted to Mr. George Murray-Smith, of the same address, as grandfather and guardian of his said infant son.