David Murray-Lyon
British Indian Army general
Major-General David Murray Murray-Lyon, (14 August 1890 – 4 February 1975) was an officer in the British Indian Army. His final appointment was as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 11th Indian Infantry Division in Malaya until he was relieved of his duty by Lieutenant General Arthur Percival.
Early life
Murray-Lyon was born in Glendale, Northumberland, on 14 August 1890, the eldest son of Dr Thomas Malcolm Lyon, and a grandson of David Murray Lyon of Ayr, Scotland. He married Meredith Napier in 1916, they had two daughters and one son.
Military service
Murray-Lyon was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery of the Territorial Force, the British Army's part-time reserve force, in 1908. He transferred to the 3rd Battalion (Depot), King's Own Scottish Borderers, as part of the reserve of officers, in 1910. In 1911 Murray-Lyon became a regular army officer and was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry based in Lucknow, India.
First World War
After the outbreak of the First World War in the summer of 1914, many British regiments based around the world returned to join the fighting on the Western Front, the Highland Light Infantry returned in late 1914 and was in the trenches by the beginning of 1915. During the battles of 1915, Murray-Lyon was promoted to temporary captain and wounded twice and was mentioned in despatches and received the Military Cross for his actions in Flanders. After recovering from his wounds, he was based in England during 1916 as a major and adjutant of the 4th Battalion.
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