Mount Kazbek, Georgia

James McMurray joined the overseas staff of The Imperial Bank of Persia in 1900, serving at Teheran Bazaar and Nasratabad, before opening the Hamadan branch in 1909. During his tenure, McMurray was Head of the Commission of control of Expenditure which financed Russian forces in Persia 1917-18. Appointed Chief Manager in 1919, he went on to develop a close relationship with Reza Khan Pahlavi (1878-1944), who was proclaimed Shah in 1925. McMurray served as a Director of the bank from 1928-1950 and was awarded a CBE for his services in 1921.