Promoted to major on 1 June 1898,[6] Murray served in the Second Boer War as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General for Intelligence in Natal from 9 October 1899[7] and then as chief of staff to the commander there.[4] He took part in the withdrawal from Dundee[8] and then the siege of Ladysmith in late 1899 and became senior staff officer to Sir Archibald Hunter, General Officer Commanding 10th Division, early in 1900.[4] He was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General on 6 March 1900,[9] promoted to lieutenant colonel on 29 October 1900[10] and awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 29 November 1900.[11] He was again mentioned in despatches in February 1901.[12]