Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. - Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyService dress of General Sir Murray Bourchier, complete with jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, boots (high rise),Sam Browne belt, peaked cap, medal ribbons, badges of rank, medal ribbons

Flyer advertising the Schwerkolt Cottage 10th annual Wisteria Garden Party, 3 October 2004.Flyer advertising the Schwerkolt Cottage 10th annual Wisteria Garden Party, 3 October 2004.wisteria garden party 2004, schwerkolt cottage & museum complex

Flyer for Wisteria Garden Party organised by Friends of Schwerkolt Cottage, Sunday 6th October 2002.Flyer for Wisteria Garden Party organised by Friends of Schwerkolt Cottage, Sunday 6th October 2002.wisteria party 2002, friends of schwerkolt cottage

Two articles on Heritage Open Day at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex, 13 April 2003 Two articles on Heritage Open Day at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex, 13 April 2003austin 7 car club, henwood, george, henwood, joan, nunawading and district historical society

Register entry of death certificate of Paulina Schwerkolt who died 1 January 1884 in Nunawading.Register entry of death certificate of Paulina Schwerkolt who died 1 January 1884 in Nunawading.schwerkolt, paulina, death certificates, riley, bridget, bowen thomas, kefford, richard, schwerkolt, carl benno

Community opposition to City of Nunawading's 1963 site plan for Schwerkolt Cottage and surrounds. Outcome of the dispute.Community opposition to City of Nunawading's 1963 site plan for Schwerkolt Cottage and surrounds. schwerkolt cottage, parks and reserves, city of nunawading. parks and reserves department

Article announcing Heritage Family Day on 13 Sep 2015 at the Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex.Article announcing Heritage Family Day on 13 Sep 2015 at the Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex.schwerkolt cottage & museum complex, heritage family day, rotary club of forest hill

Article on the management plan for Schwerkolt Cottage being prepared for Nunawading Council by Landscape Australia consultants.Article on the management plan for Schwerkolt Cottage being prepared for Nunawading Council by Landscape Australia consultants.schwerkolt cottage, city of nunawading, gray, bill, cox, george, landscape australia consultants

New educational facility opened at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex 11 September 2011 (photo).New educational facility opened at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex 11 September 2011 (photo).jones-evans, vicki, cottle, rachael, schwerkolt cottage & museum complex

Entry for birth of Charles Clarence Victor Schwerkolt, 26th November, 1892 at Mitcham Reg. No. 6010schwerkolt, charles clarence victor, both, wilhelmina, schwerkolt, carl benno, schwerkolt, wilhelmina

Copy of letters to C. Schwerkolt re acquisition of land at Edgerton Road, Mitcham by Nunawading Councilland sales, city of nunawading, schwerkolt, charles clarence victor, edgerton road, mitcham