Edward had previously served for 6 years in the R.A.M.C. Regular Army. He re-enlisted on 7th August 1914 and was embodied with the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance, Territorial Force, under the service number 2024. He was 32 years old; was a Clerk by trade, employed by the Royal Liver Insurance Company; and was living in Edgbaston, Warwickshire at the time. Edward transferred to the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station on the 21st August, his service number then changed to 41. From 24th August 1914 - 4th February 1915 he served at Southampton Docks, he then returned to Ipswich. During his time at Southampton Docks, Edward was promoted to Corporal on 9th September 1914. On 10th February, after his return, he was promoted to acting Serjeant (Clerk) but gained the rank of full Staff Serjeant on 30th July 1915, when he embarked on the "Royal Edward" at Devonport. He arrived at Alexandria on the 11th August, then set sail to Gallipoli the next day. His body was never found and was believed to have drowned on the sinking of H.M.T. "Royal Edward" on passage from Alexandria to Gallipoli. Edward was the son of the Rev. F T McMurdo of Farnham All Saints, Bury St Edmunds.