Michael Arthur Murray enlisted into The Royal Air Force as a Boy Entrant when he was 16 years old in 1957 and served for a year.Just under year later he enlisted into Forester Brigade, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1959 and served in Aden, Hong Kong and the BOAR (British Army on the Rhine). Fusilier Murray left the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers in May 1963.

He enlisted in to 16 Independent Company, The Parachute Regiment (Volunteers) (16 Indep Coy PARA (V)) in August 1969 following the airborne footsteps of his father Major A F Murray and his uncle Lt Col F Murray.

Private Murray gained his Para wings in October 1969.

Lance Corporal Murray left 16 Indep Coy PARA (V) in February 1973.