
The Uncrowned King of Cambodia
The Life of Lt Col E D (Moke) Murray
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
[Lt Col Edward D (Moke) Murray]… an outstanding officer in the Indian Army and became a Gurkha commander in Malaya. In 1939 he fired the crucial shot that dispersed a strike that threatened the Raj. He became an outstanding leader in the fight against the Japanese in Assam and Burma. He suppressed the Viet Minh in Saigon in 1945, in what can be seen as the start of the Vietnam War. He was Allied Land Commander in Cambodia and supervised the surrender of the Japanese there. In 1953 he was cheered by millions along the eight-kilometre route of Elizabeth II's coronation parade as he marched at the head of the hugely popular Gurkha contingent. But when he died not a single obituary of him appeared, apart from a short notice in the Gurkha gazette.
From Anthony Barnett's Introduction
What sort of man was 'Moke' Murray, this forgotten Achilles of the dying British Empire? He served his King in wars from Waziristan to Burma and helped to shape the future of Indochina. But, as this touching and fascinating biography recounts, he ended his life in lonely poverty as the Empire itself dissolved and fell out of memory.
Neal Ascherson, novelist, reporter and historian
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Considering Moke: An Introduction, Anthony Barnett
- Family Background
- Moke’s Boyhood and Early Military Career
- Moke’s First Marriage
- On the Fringes of Empire, 1937–1942
- Moke’s War
- Southern Vietnam and Cambodia in World War II
- Gracey in Saigon
- Moke in Saigon
- Becoming Cambodia’s Uncrowned King
- Cambodia: Closing Phases
- Back with the Gurkhas
- Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, Anthony Barnett
- Flotsam of Empire, 1954–2002
- Murray’s Promotion
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgments