David unfailingly considered others before himself, caring little for his own comfort and wellbeing, despite his many health problems.
He worked unstintingly for the people of Africa, concentrating in recent years on the villages along one of the old slave-trade routes from Burkina Faso to Ghana, always helping people to help themselves. He had boats built which would not only link the villages but would also serve as travelling pharmacies, delivering badly needed medication to people in remote locations.
A past pupil of Malet Lambert School (Hull), for which he retained a lasting affection, David came from the well-known Murden family, manufacturers of mineral waters and soft drinks. After school, he worked for a while for the firm, being obliged by family circumstances to defer his university education.
While still a young man, he felt called to the Salvation Army, where he trained to become a Captain. His first contacts with Africa were in his capacity as Missionary-Evangelist.
There is much to tell of David Murden, and my hope is that his closest friends will compile a book, recounting his many achievements, a record worthy of his life of service to others.
The death of his son, Simon, in tragic yet avoidable circumstances, was deeply traumatic to him and he never recovered from it. David carried this sorrow with him back to Africa, where Simon had accompanied him and was held in high regard. The people mourned his loss. The love and respect the people had for David himself was beyond measure.
I first met David when he joined the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Beverley, some twenty years ago.
David suffered over the years from several periods of severe illness. It is quite remarkable that he lived to the age of 82.
Dr Mary Munro-Hill
24/08/2025
