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Michael Murphy (VC)
Encyclopedia
Michael Murphy VC
(c. 1837, Cahir
, County Tipperary
, Ireland
– 4 April 1893, Darlington
, County Durham
, England
) was an Irish
recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC)
, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Murphy was born circa 1837 in Cahir
, Tipperary
to Michael Murphy, a local blacksmith, and his (unknown) wife. He had at least one sibling, a younger sister named Mary. Little is known about his early life until 1855, when he started his army career.
at Cork
. The 17th Lancers, however, were still at the Crimean War
, having lost most of their complement in the Charge of the Light Brigade
in the previous year. As a result, Murphy started his training with the 16th Lancers at the Portobello Barracks, Dublin
.
On 22 May 1856, Murphy attached to the 17th Lancers, who were now en route from the Crimea, via Ismid in Turkey
, to help contain the early stages of the Indian Mutiny. It seems he intended to catch up with his regiment in India
. Something must have affected this plan, since on 18 October 1856, he joined the 2nd Battalion
Military Train
(later the Royal Army Service Corps
and nowadays the Royal Logistic Corps
) instead. In March 1857, Murphy left the Curragh Camp
and boarded the steamer Calypso at Dublin bound for Woolwich
. On 28 April, he embarked for Hong Kong
. On reaching Indonesia
, the battalion was diverted to Calcutta on news of the Indian Mutiny. They arrived in Calcutta on 27 August, and after a series of moves were deployed to relieve Lucknow
. The battalion was subsumed into the Azimghur Field Force
on 29 March 1858.
On 15 April 1858, Murphy was in position at Nathupur, near Azimgurh
, in north-east India
. During the fighting, Murphy and Private Samuel Morley
were severely wounded while defending an injured comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, adjutant of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry. Hamilton died from his injuries the next evening, but for his actions Murphy was awarded the Victoria Cross:
Queen Victoria
presented Michael Murphy with his Victoria Cross
at the Quadrangle, Windsor Castle
on 4 January 1860. Recognition for Morley did not come until later.
, Great Yarmouth
. On 14 May 1859, he resumed his duties at the Depot, at Aldershot
and returned to the 2nd Battalion on 1 October 1859. On 7 April 1860, he married at Aldershot and his new wife and two children joined him in establishment accommodation the same day. Murphy was soon promoted to Farrier Sergeant, and moved to Woolwich
. In January 1862, Murphy was attached to the 1st Battalion and served 5 months in Canada
, returning on 14 June 1862 to Woolwich and then onto Aldershot. On 21 March 1865, Murphy transferred to the 6th Battalion and moved to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
. On 6 September of the following year, Murphy rejoined the Military Train at the Curragh in Ireland. By 1868, he was back at Woolwich with his wife and two children. By the time the Military Train became the Army Service Corps in 1869, Murphy had achieved the rank of Farrier-Major
and was stationed in Aldershot. On 1 July 1871, Murphy transferred from the Army Service Corps to the 7th Hussars
.
. His wife and children returned to Army establishment in December 1873.
His medal re-appeared 26 years later.
and then Maidstone
. Murphy was in hospital and did not move with his battalion when it moved to Norwich
in June 1874. On 7 December 1874, Murphy was transferred to the 9th Lancers. In January 1875, the 9th Lancers were sent to Bombay
, but Murphy reattached to the 5th Lancers returning from India.
On 1 February 1875, after almost 20 years army service, Murphy was discharged at Colchester
.
. From Bellingham, he moved by early 1876 to become a blacksmith at Scotswood
, Newcastle upon Tyne
, Northumberland
. then by mid-1878 to Murton, County Durham
, and, by 1881, back to Heworth
, Northumberland.
During the 1880s, Murphy's children appear to have left home. In 1889, while staying at Wilton Lodge, Darlington
, Murphy's wife was admitted to Winterton Asylum
, Sedgefield
, where she later died on 3 March 1900. By 1891, Murphy had moved on his own to a cottage on the Blackwell Grange estate
, outside Darlington (owned by a benefactor, Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, another Victoria Cross recipient). Murphy later relocated to Darlington to work as a labourer in an Ironworks.
Murphy died of pneumonia
at 22 Vulcan Street, Darlington on 4 April 1893. He was buried in the North Road Municipal Cemetery, Darlington. A gravestone was erected by Sir Henry and comrades from the India campaign. Despite having at least two children still alive but not at home, his sole heir was stated to be Bridget Mary Anne Dobson, a married niece who was caring for, and residing with, him at the end. Murphy's epitaph
Sacred to the memory of
Michael Murphy
formerly Sergt in the 2nd Battalion
Military Train and the 7th Hussars
who for conspicuous gallantry
during the Indian Mutiny where
he received five serious wounds in saving
the life of a wounded officer
obtained the Victoria Cross
Born in Tipperary - 1832
Died Darlington 4 April 1893
R.I.P.
Three of his sons died or were
killed in Her Majesty's service
This stone is erected to his memory
by his comrades
Sir Henry Havelock Allan Bart
records that three of his sons were killed in action.
, based at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut
, Surrey
. Murphy's actual medal is now owned by a regimental trust and can be viewed, but only by prior arrangement with the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
.
The 150th anniversary of Murphy's VC occurred on 15 April 2008, and was commemorated at his grave in Darlington by the RLC, with the Mayor of Darlington, numerous family members and the British Legion present.
Subsequently, they had at least three children together:
These three children - and no others - appear in the civilian records (BMD, census, etc.). Despite this, Murphy's epitaph stated that "Three of his sons died or were killed in Her Majesty's service" before 1893. It is known that his son George died in 1954, and that Mary Ann and her family survived into the 20th century, so his son Edward John Murphy and two further stepsons must have died before 1893. The army records suggest that these deaths may have been:
The exact identity and fate of all his children are not known; nor is the connection to his niece Bridget Dobson.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(c. 1837, Cahir
Cahir
Cahir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. The town is best known for its castle and the Swiss Cottage. It is in the barony of Iffa and Offa West.-Location and access:...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
– 4 April 1893, Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) was an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC)
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Murphy was born circa 1837 in Cahir
Cahir
Cahir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. The town is best known for its castle and the Swiss Cottage. It is in the barony of Iffa and Offa West.-Location and access:...
, Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
to Michael Murphy, a local blacksmith, and his (unknown) wife. He had at least one sibling, a younger sister named Mary. Little is known about his early life until 1855, when he started his army career.
Early career
On 27 August 1855, Murphy enlisted in the 17th Lancers17th Lancers
The 17th Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, notable for its participation in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War...
at Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. The 17th Lancers, however, were still at the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, having lost most of their complement in the Charge of the Light Brigade
Charge of the Light Brigade
The Charge of the Light Brigade was a charge of British cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War. The charge was the result of a miscommunication in such a way that the brigade attempted a much more difficult objective...
in the previous year. As a result, Murphy started his training with the 16th Lancers at the Portobello Barracks, Dublin
Portobello, Dublin
In Dublin, Portobello is an area stretching westwards from South Richmond Street as far as Upper Clanbrassil Street bordered on the north by the South Circular Road and on the south by the Grand Canal....
.
On 22 May 1856, Murphy attached to the 17th Lancers, who were now en route from the Crimea, via Ismid in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, to help contain the early stages of the Indian Mutiny. It seems he intended to catch up with his regiment in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Something must have affected this plan, since on 18 October 1856, he joined the 2nd Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
Military Train
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
(later the Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
and nowadays the Royal Logistic Corps
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
) instead. In March 1857, Murphy left the Curragh Camp
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
and boarded the steamer Calypso at Dublin bound for Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
. On 28 April, he embarked for Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. On reaching Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, the battalion was diverted to Calcutta on news of the Indian Mutiny. They arrived in Calcutta on 27 August, and after a series of moves were deployed to relieve Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
. The battalion was subsumed into the Azimghur Field Force
Azamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
on 29 March 1858.
Victoria Cross
Azamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
, in north-east India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. During the fighting, Murphy and Private Samuel Morley
Samuel Morley (VC)
Samuel Morley VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Victoria Cross:On 15 April 1858, Morley was in position at Nathupur, near Azimgurh, in...
were severely wounded while defending an injured comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, adjutant of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry. Hamilton died from his injuries the next evening, but for his actions Murphy was awarded the Victoria Cross:
Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
presented Michael Murphy with his Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
at the Quadrangle, Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
on 4 January 1860. Recognition for Morley did not come until later.
Return to the UK
After his injuries at Nathupur, Murphy was invalided to Calcutta and returned to the United Kingdom and the Invalid DepotMilitary hospital
Military hospital is a hospital, which is generally located on a military base and is reserved for the use of military personnel, their dependents or other authorized users....
, Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
. On 14 May 1859, he resumed his duties at the Depot, at Aldershot
Aldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
and returned to the 2nd Battalion on 1 October 1859. On 7 April 1860, he married at Aldershot and his new wife and two children joined him in establishment accommodation the same day. Murphy was soon promoted to Farrier Sergeant, and moved to Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
. In January 1862, Murphy was attached to the 1st Battalion and served 5 months in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, returning on 14 June 1862 to Woolwich and then onto Aldershot. On 21 March 1865, Murphy transferred to the 6th Battalion and moved to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. On 6 September of the following year, Murphy rejoined the Military Train at the Curragh in Ireland. By 1868, he was back at Woolwich with his wife and two children. By the time the Military Train became the Army Service Corps in 1869, Murphy had achieved the rank of Farrier-Major
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
and was stationed in Aldershot. On 1 July 1871, Murphy transferred from the Army Service Corps to the 7th Hussars
Queen's Own Hussars
The Queen's Own Hussars, normally referred to by the abbreviation QOH, was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, formed from the amalgamation of 3rd The King's Own Hussars and the 7th Queen's Own Hussars at Candahar Barracks, Tidworth in 1958....
.
Forfeiture
On 26 January 1872, a civilian, James Green, was stopped by Farrier-Major Knott at Aldershot with a wagon containing sacks of oats and hay. Green stated that Murphy had given him permission to remove these goods. Murphy and Green were then arrested for the theft of these goods. At the trial at Winchester, Green was acquitted and released, but Murphy was convicted and sentenced to nine months' hard labour at the House of Correction for the county of Hampshire. On 5 March, an order was issued for the forfeit of Murphy's VC. Murphy was one of only eight men who forfeited their Victoria Crosses. Although Murphy had worn his Victoria Cross every day during his trial, the medal could not be found after the forfeiture order. His wife Mary and their child had disappeared from their Army establishment accommodation. After Murphy was released from prison on 30 November 1872, he returned to his regiment at HounslowHounslow
Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:...
. His wife and children returned to Army establishment in December 1873.
His medal re-appeared 26 years later.
Later career and discharge
During 1873, Murphy's battalion moved to WimbledonWimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
and then Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
. Murphy was in hospital and did not move with his battalion when it moved to Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
in June 1874. On 7 December 1874, Murphy was transferred to the 9th Lancers. In January 1875, the 9th Lancers were sent to Bombay
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, but Murphy reattached to the 5th Lancers returning from India.
On 1 February 1875, after almost 20 years army service, Murphy was discharged at Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
.
Post-military life and death
Immediately following his army discharge, Murphy took up residence in Bellingham, NorthumberlandBellingham, Northumberland
Bellingham is a village in Northumberland, to the north-west of Newcastle upon Tyne and is situated on the Hareshaw burn at its confluence with the River North Tyne. Hareshaw Linn is a waterfall on the Hareshaw Burn near Bellingham. It is pronounced Bell-ing-jumFamous as a stopping point on the...
. From Bellingham, he moved by early 1876 to become a blacksmith at Scotswood
Benwell and Scotswood
Benwell and Scotswood is an electoral ward of Newcastle upon Tyne in North East England. The ward encompasses the Benwell and Scotswood housing areas, as well as the Newcastle Business Park, which is located on the banks of the River Tyne and houses offices of companies such as British Airways and...
, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. then by mid-1878 to Murton, County Durham
Murton, County Durham
Murton is a village in County Durham, England. Lying six miles east of the city of Durham and seven miles south of Sunderland, it has a population of 7,339....
, and, by 1881, back to Heworth
Heworth, Tyne and Wear
Heworth is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England. The village's name appears in written records from 1091 as Hewarde, and later as Hewrtha, and in 1300 as Hewrthe....
, Northumberland.
During the 1880s, Murphy's children appear to have left home. In 1889, while staying at Wilton Lodge, Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
, Murphy's wife was admitted to Winterton Asylum
Winterton Hospital
Winterton Hospital was a psychiatric hospital in County Durham, England and was one of the biggest in Europe.-History:A site for the Durham County Asylum was purchased in 1855 on land between the villages of Fishburn and Sedgefield. The hospital was to be designed by the architect John Howison, the...
, Sedgefield
Sedgefield
Sedgefield is a small town and civil parish in County Durham, England. It has a population of 4,534.Sedgefield has attracted particular attention as the Member of Parliament for the wider Sedgefield constituency was the former Prime Minister Tony Blair; he was the area's MP from 1983 to 2008,...
, where she later died on 3 March 1900. By 1891, Murphy had moved on his own to a cottage on the Blackwell Grange estate
Blackwell, County Durham
Blackwell is a suburb in the borough of Darlington and the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It is situated towards the edge of the West End of Darlington, beside the River Tees. Blackwell consists of large 1930s style semi-detached and detached houses, and private, newly-built homes...
, outside Darlington (owned by a benefactor, Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, another Victoria Cross recipient). Murphy later relocated to Darlington to work as a labourer in an Ironworks.
Murphy died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at 22 Vulcan Street, Darlington on 4 April 1893. He was buried in the North Road Municipal Cemetery, Darlington. A gravestone was erected by Sir Henry and comrades from the India campaign. Despite having at least two children still alive but not at home, his sole heir was stated to be Bridget Mary Anne Dobson, a married niece who was caring for, and residing with, him at the end. Murphy's epitaph
Sacred to the memory of
Michael Murphy
formerly Sergt in the 2nd Battalion
Military Train and the 7th Hussars
who for conspicuous gallantry
during the Indian Mutiny where
he received five serious wounds in saving
the life of a wounded officer
obtained the Victoria Cross
Born in Tipperary - 1832
Died Darlington 4 April 1893
R.I.P.
Three of his sons died or were
killed in Her Majesty's service
This stone is erected to his memory
by his comrades
Sir Henry Havelock Allan Bart
records that three of his sons were killed in action.
Reappearance of medal
It is not known where the medal was kept between March 1872 and June 1898, nor who held possession. However, five years after Murphy's death, in June 1898, his Victoria Cross medal eventually resurfaced when it was offered by an anonymous seller at auction. It was bought by Master Sergeant Masterman on behalf of the Royal Army Service Corps, at Aldershot. This medal was presented to the RASC, which has since been subsumed into the Royal Logistic CorpsRoyal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
, based at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut
Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut
The Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, commonly referred to as Deepcut Barracks, is the headquarters of the Royal Logistic Corps of the British Army and the Defence School of Logistics. Located near Camberley, Surrey, England, it was the headquarters of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps until the...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. Murphy's actual medal is now owned by a regimental trust and can be viewed, but only by prior arrangement with the Royal Logistic Corps Museum
Royal Logistic Corps Museum
The Royal Logistic Corps Museum or RLC Museum at Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Surrey, England is the regimental museum for the Royal Logistic Corps. It is open to the public free of charge....
.
Re-listing of Victoria Cross
27 years after Murphy's death, in July 1920, the rules for the Victoria Cross award were changed to exclude forfeiture. The eight extant forfeits - including that of Murphy - were then re-listed in the Victoria Cross register.Commemoration
Family
Murphy married Mary Fox (b. cir 1841 Ireland – d. 9 Mar 1900) at the Farnham Register Office, nr Aldershot, on 7 April 1860. One or both of them may have had previous children, or may have been caring for family or army children, since the army records state that they went onto army establishment the very same day with two children or stepchildren, aged 1 yrs and 5 yrs.Subsequently, they had at least three children together:
- Edward John Murphy (b. 10 Jan 1864 Aldershot Camp – alive at 1881 census – d. unknown)
- George Frederick William Murphy (b. 15 Dec 1875 Scotswood, Northumberland – d. 1954 HoddesdonHoddesdonHoddesdon is a town in the English county of Hertfordshire, situated in the Lea Valley. The town grew up as a coaching stop on the route between Cambridge and London. It is located southeast of Hertford, north of Waltham Cross and southwest of Bishop's Stortford. At its height during the 18th...
, HertfordshireHertfordshireHertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
) - Mary Ann Murphy (b. 15 May 1878 Murton Colliery, County Durham – alive at 1911 census – d. unknown)
These three children - and no others - appear in the civilian records (BMD, census, etc.). Despite this, Murphy's epitaph stated that "Three of his sons died or were killed in Her Majesty's service" before 1893. It is known that his son George died in 1954, and that Mary Ann and her family survived into the 20th century, so his son Edward John Murphy and two further stepsons must have died before 1893. The army records suggest that these deaths may have been:
- James Ballard, an alleged stepson of Murphy and a colour-sergeant of the 1st Battalion 24th Regiment of Foot who was killed at the Battle of IsandlwanaBattle of IsandlwanaThe Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom...
on 22 January 1879 - A sergeant of artillery who was killed at Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September 1882
- A corporal of the Durham Light InfantryDurham Light InfantryThe Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...
who died on the Nile in 1885.
The exact identity and fate of all his children are not known; nor is the connection to his niece Bridget Dobson.
Army records
- courtesy of Lieutenant-Colonel D J Owen MBE, Regimental Headquarters, The Royal Logistic Corps