[Merry]

I know this is not what you are asking about, but we need to make sure we are looking at the right person as the name Thomas Murray isn't uncommon.

Birth registration:


MURRAY, THOMAS WILLIAM
mother's maiden surname PARK
GRO Reference: 1889 J Quarter in PRESTON Volume 08E Page 596

Parents marriage:

Marriages Jun 1888
Murray John Preston 8e 881
PARK Sarah Preston 8e 881

1891 Census:
163 Ribbleton Lane Preston:

John Murray head married 25 pavior and drainer born Lancashire Pendleton
Sarah Murray wife married 27 born Lancashire Preston
Thos W Murray son single 2 born Lancashire Preston
Winifred Murray dau single 4 months born Lancashire Preston

1901 Census
32 Everton Gardens Preston:

John Murray head married 35 pavior and drainer born Lancs Pendleton
Sarah Murray wife married 37 born Lancs Preston
Thomas Murray son 11 born Lancs Preston
Winifred Murray dau 11 born Lancs Preston
Margaret M Murray 8 born Lancs Preston
Isabella T Murray 4 born Lancs Preston

By 1911 Sarah had died:

Deaths Jun 1902

Murray Sarah 39 Preston 8e 367

and John was living with his unmarried sister. John said he and Sarah had 8 children, four of whom were still living at the date of the 1911 census. None of the four are with him in 1911.

I can't see any ship passenger list entry between 1901 and 1911 for this Thomas travelling to India. There are a few shortly after 1911 but where occupation is mentioned they don't sound like him at all (jute worker).

In 1911 there's a private in the army stationed at either Egypt, Sierra Leone, South Africa or Sudan named Thomas Murray aged 23 born Preston and another man, same age and birthplace, boarding in Kirkham Lancashire who is a coachman. If he was in India at this date then neither of these men are him.

This is definitely the right man:

Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941

First name(s) Thomas William
Last name Murray
Event year 1918
Birth year 1889
Birth place Preston
Birth county/country Lancashire
Birth date 10 Apr 1889
Discharge number 908377
Identity certificate number 210235
Card type CR10
Archive The National Archives
Series BT350
Date range 1918-1921
BT350 Date range 1918-1921
Record set Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941
Category Education & work
Subcategory Merchant Navy & Maritime
Collections from Great Britain, UK None