Remembering Geoffrey Murray

On 3rd November, St Mary’s, Weymouth in the Parish of Radipole and Melcombe Regis gave thanks for the life of a great communicator and regular contributor to Grapevine.   

Geoffrey Murray, who died in October, had only lived in Weymouth for just over three years but had rapidly discovered how to use his journalistic skills to ensure that parish news was regularly reported in both the Dorset Echo and Grapevine. Indeed, at one time the Grapevine editor could expect almost weekly copy on the development of the Town Centre ministry.   

Geoffrey was born and brought up near Ellesmere Port, but in his twenties became a reporter with Reuters and was sent to the Far East for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and then during the Vietnam War, where he made his name being the only reporter at the Battle of Long Tan.  Over the next fifty years  he reported from much of the Far East and then took up a post lecturing in international journalism at a Beijing University. He had made many friends in Australia, and semi-retired to Perth in 2014 where his Christian commitment was renewed by his involvement with St. George’s Cathedral. He moved back to Britain early in 2018 in order to develop the links with his beloved granddaughters, settling in Weymouth.  

Joining St. Mary’s church, he immediately wanted to use his journalistic talents, although keeping articles to 300 or so words was sometimes difficult!  He also joined the local Christian Writers Group where his gifts were much appreciated.   Sadly, illness shortened the time  he was able to contribute. His gifts will be much missed but he will be fondly remembered by many. In the spirit of international communication, the funeral and thanksgiving service was watched online by friends in both Beijing and Australia as his granddaughters spoke of how they were left in awe by his widely travelled adventures and many accomplishments.  

The address on Revelation 21 vv.1-7 brought out both his thirst for knowledge and the water of life and his trust in the truth of God’s word that he desired to share.  

Director of Diocesan communications Carole Peters-King said: 

"Geoffrey's contributions were always written from a place of deep faith and love for the parish he had come to call home. 

"We will really miss his wonderful contributions, as I am sure will our regular readers"