William MURISON [c.1870-1931]

Thanks to Wally Murison for the following information about his grandfather. Wally writes:

My grandfather Chief Detective Inspector William Murison KPM served in the Hong Kong Police between 1895 and 1923. I served in Hong Kong between 1977 and 2008 (officially retiring in 2009).

Please find attached some information that I have gathered for my younger relatives. You may find it of some interest. The two photographs of the Kings Police Medal presentation are copied from photos in my possession.

William Murison was born in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. As a young man he served in the Merchant Navy.

1895 - Early years with the Hong Kong Police

William Murison joined the Hong Kong Police as "Police Constable 67" on Thursday 25th July 1895. He was 25. Little is known about his service, although the majority was spent in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The China Mail, dated Wednesday 6th January 1897 records;

“Last night, Sergeant Robertson, P.C. Murison (67) and four Indian constables, armed with a search warrant entered a house at No. 6 Dock Lane, Hunghom, where gambling was suspected to be carried on. On entering the officers discovered a large number of coolies employed at the Cock engaged in gambling. The gamblers, on sighting the Police, made a run for the back door of the house and in the scrimmage a hanging kerosene lamp was upset, which exploded and set fire to the house. In the commotion which ensued a number escaped, but twenty five, including one of the masters, were captured. The master was handed over, along with a number of others, to the care of one of the Indians, but on the way to the Station he cut his queue with a knife and escaped. At the Magistracy today, the twenty four gamblers were each sentenced to pay a fine of $7 or suffer twenty eight days imprisonment.”

In March 1901 he was commended by the Acting Police Magistrate for the arrest of a person for selling Chinese wine, without a licence, at the Cosmopolitan Docks. He was also reported, by the China Mail, as being the “Policeman who recovered the most stolen property from pawnshops.” His zeal and hard work was rewarded by rapid promotion.

Item 510 in The Hongkong Government Gazette, July 31 1908, reports the appointment of:

Inspector William Murison to be a Sanitary Inspector for Kowloon City.

1913 - In command of the Water Police

In November 1913 he was transferred from the Central Police Division and assumed command of the Water Police during Inspector Kerr’s leave. Inspector Kerr departed, for Australia, on Saturday 22nd November for some 13 months leave. The 1914 “Report on the Water Police” by Mr. C. W. Beckwith, RN, Assistant Superintendent Water Police, states;

“Various transfers took place during the year amongst the Europeans: Inspector Kerr returned from leave and resumed duty with the Water Police on 19th December. Inspector Murison and Inspector Gordon were in charge during various periods of the year.”

1916 - Murison's Monkey in Court

The Hongkong Telegraph for the 6th September 1916 reports:

“Some excitement was caused in Mr. Wood’s court at the Magistracy this morning, when a large black monkey, belonging to Chief Detective Inspector Murison … entered the court by the open window … After making acquaintance with Usher of the Court, the monkey was taken in hand by Sergeant Cockle and quietly allowed itself to be led away.”

1918 - The Siege of Gresson Street

He took part in the investigation into the January 22nd 1918, “Siege of Gresson Street” incident, which claimed the lives of five police officers. The siege phase of the incident was remarkable for a number of things. Firstly, and probably for the only time, a Governor of Hong Kong attended a crime scene and personally negotiated with a barricaded and armed suspect. Sir Francis Henry May had, of course, served as the Captain Superintendent of Police between 1893 and 1901. Secondly, the Royal Garrison Artillery was used to "bomb" out the last member of the gang, who had refused to surrender.

1921 - Visit by His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan

In March 1921 His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Hirohito, accompanied by Prince Kan'in Kotohito, his political advisor, Chinda Stuemi, and his aide-de-camp, General Nara Takeji, embarked upon a sixth month tour of Europe. The trip marked the first time a Japanese crown prince had been abroad.

CDI Murison was responsible for the security of H.I.H. while he and his delegation were in Hong Kong.

On 14th March 1921, His Excellency the Governor, Sir R. E. Stubbs wrote the following minute;

“The Police arrangements in connection with the visit of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan have been carried out excellently. H.I.H was so good as to express his great appreciation of the trouble which has been taken to ensure his safety. Please let the Force know that this work is fully appreciated and in particular, express my thanks to C.D.I. Murison and Traffic Inspector Garrod.”

In recognition of his services, Mr. Murison received a silver cigarette case from Crown Prince Hirohito.

1921 - The King's Police Medal

According to the Hong Kong Daily Press “On several occasions he received deserved recognition for the invaluable services rendered.” He was awarded the 4th Class Merit Medal in 1901, the 3rd Class in 1914 and the 2nd Class in 1918, all for his work in CID. His final award was the King's Police Medal, awarded in 1921.

William Murison's medals, left-to-right:

• Kings Police Medal - Awarded January 1921
• For Merit 2nd Class - Awarded 1918
• For Merit 3rd Class - Awarded January 1914
• For Merit 4th Class - Awarded August 1901
• Coronation Medal (Hong Kong) - Awarded 1902

The Report by the Captain Superintendent of Police, Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, for the year 1920, states;

“A Despatch was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies announcing that His Majesty the King has been pleased to grant the King’s Police Medal to Chief Inspector James Kerr and Chief Detective Inspector William Murison for most excellent work throughout the War and for ability and untiring zeal in the performance of the onerous duties of their appointments.”

The King's Police Medals were presented by His Excellency the Governor Sir. R. E. Stubbs, K.C.M.G. on Friday 8th July 1921 at Central Police Station:

The two Chief Inspectors were lifelong friends and it was fitting that the medals were reunited, at Central Police Station, in February 2005 by the grandson and great-grandson of the recipients.

On 26th March 1923, Mr. Thomas Henry King assumed duty as Director of Criminal Intelligence. Chief Detective Inspector William Murison retired on leave and pension on 2nd May that year. He set sail aboard a Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company vessel, calling at Colombo on 15th May and docking in London on 9th June 1923. On returning to Scotland, he married, had two children and died, in Mintlaw, in 1931, aged 61.

His grandson, Inspector William Wallace Murison, PMSM, joined the Royal Hong Kong Police on 7th October 1977, having previously served in the Edinburgh City Police for 5 years. He retired in February 2009 having spent his career in Marine Region.

Wally is interested to hear of any more information / anecdotes about his grandfather's time in Hong Kong.