Leonard W. Murray

**Leonard W. Murray** is the current governor of the Panama Canal International Zone, the third Canadian in a row to be elected by the PCIZ Council.

## Career

### Second Weltkrieg

Serving in both the First Weltkrieg and the Second Weltkrieg, Murray's up-and-coming career as a rear admiral seemed quite promising, as he took charge of the important Newfoundland Escort Force, and later took part in the successful reclamation of the islands of Saint Helena and Ascension, becoming an icon for those who called for greater representation of native Canadians in the navy ranks in the face of Exile dominance. Under his command, captain James D. Prentice would achieve the first submarine kill in the Battle of the Atlantic. Despite the successes of the Newfoundland Escort Force, he would be passed over by many of his fellow officers, who viewed him with suspicion and gave him a far less prominent role as the NEF was merged into the Mid-Ocean Escort Force and his rival George C. Jones would be given the promotion instead.

### Halifax Riots

Murray would continue to find his own success leading coastal patrols throughout the war, particularly leading the evacuation of Boston, but his reputation would be tarnished at the end of the war, when in 1945, his men would cause a devastating riot in Halifax while out on shore leave. His fame among native Canadians would shatter, with Halifax newspapers blaming him for the incident amid a worsening outrage against the Battle of the Atlantic's failures, despite Murray being a successful commander. Roy Kellock, a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, would establish a Royal Commission that would place blame upon the Navy for the Halifax riots. Murray would abruptly be dismissed from his position in the MEOF, but would not be given a new post: instead, he would be briefly reassigned to an overseas post in the Panama Canal before receiving a general discharge.

### Post-war politics

After the potential for his naval career was destroyed, Murray would begin to explore alternatives, particularly in the political field. Though he knew he could not run in Canada, especially not in his native Nova Scotia, Murray's warm ties with the Conservative Party and expertise in maritime law led Maurice Arthur Pope, then Governor of the PCIZ, to recommend he stay in the Panama Canal and become a delegate. Murray would find that he quite liked Panama, and would accept. Though Pope retire soon after Murray's appointment, he would become a close friend of his, often discussing political, naval, and casual topics with him. Often using his advice, Murray would play a pivotal role in ensuring Canal fortifications built during the war would remain intact, securing extra funding from his colleagues back home, and generally being regarded as a successful delegate.

Pope's replacement, Horatio Nelson Lay, would grow to increasingly dislike his own position, and would discuss with Murray his potential as a successor. With Lay not seeking a second term, Murray would make a surprise resurgence by running and winning the Governor seat, despite many expecting the PCIZ to succumb to international pressure and elect a non-Canadian to the post. Now being thrust into the public spotlight once more, Murray pledges to redeem his past mistakes and serve the Zone dutifully.