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6430   Lance Sergeant Joseph P Murphy
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 26/10/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Irish Guards (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 25/12/1881
Died: 30/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 36
Summary      
Joseph P Murphy was the eldest son of Bartholomew and Fanny Murphy. He was born on Christmas Day 1881 in Clogher. He was the eldest of at least nine children. The family moved around a lot. Joseph became a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Joseph P Murphy was living in Liverpool when he enlisted. Lance-Sergeant Joseph Murphy was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on Saturday 30th March 1918.
Lance Sergeant Joseph P Murphy
Further Information
Joseph P Murphy was the eldest son of Bartholomew and Fanny Murphy. Bartholomew Murphy and Fanny Archibald were married on 11th January 1881 in the district of Omagh.
Clogher Main Street
Joseph Murphy was born on 25th December 1881 in Clogher. He was the eldest of at least nine children.
Known family: Bartholomew Murphy, Fanny Murphy, Joseph P Murphy (born 25th December 1881, Clogher), John Murphy (born 14th October 1883, Newtownstewart), Bartholomew Murphy (born 26th August 1885, Dunnamanagh), Patrick Murphy (born 13th March 1887, Dunnamanagh), Margaretta Murphy (born 22nd April 1889, Dunnamanagh), Leslie ‘Athinesasis’ Murphy (born 11th May 1891, Dunnamanagh), Marie Murphy (born 17th March 1893, Dunnamanagh), Mary Murphy (born 16th July 1895, Castlederg), Frances Murphy (born about 1899, County Tipperary).
Joseph was a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.).
The 1911 census records ‘JP M’ as being at D District Glenravel Street Barracks in Belfast.
The 1911 census does not Joseph as living with the family at house 31 in Annalee Street, Clifton, Belfast. Neither parent is living with the family.
Joseph’s brother, Leslie Murphy, was a professional footballer. He was a goalkeeper who played for Belfast Celtic, Glentoran and Leeds United, amongst others.
Joseph P Murphy was living in Liverpool when he enlisted.
Medal card
Private Joseph Murphy arrived in France with the Irish Guards on 17uth August 1915.
From an unknown Belfast Newspaper: Private Joe Murphy
Private Joe Murphy, 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, late of Glenravel Street, R.I.C., who volunteered for service at the front. He was wounded at the advance on Loos on 28th September, and has been allowed leave for convalescence. Private Murphy is a brotnher of the well-known Glentoran goalkeeper Leslie Murphy, who has joined the South Irish Horse. Another brother, Bartley, is with the Canadian Princess Pats.
Lance-Sergeant Joseph Murphy was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on Saturday 30th March 1918.
In his will, he left all to his sister, Maria Murphy, who was a nurse at the Union Hospital in Belfast.
Last Will and Testament of Joseph Murphy:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my sister Miss Maria Marcellina (?) Murphy. (Address: Nurse M Murphy, Union Hospital, Belfast, Ireland). Joseph Murphy, 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards. 7th October 1917.
Joseph’s brother, Bartholomew Murphy, also served in the war. Bartholomew Murphy enlisted August 1914. He had been a policeman (presumably in Canada). He survived the war.
Lance-Sergeant Joseph Murphy is buried in Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery, 13 kilometres south of Arras in France.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Clogher Clogher Born in Clogher 54.412525 -7.169763
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
11/01/1881 M Archibald Fanny Parent M/1881/Y1/2239/7/55b
11/01/1881 M Murphy Bartholomew Parent M/1881/Y1/2239/7/55a
25/12/1881 B Murphy Joseph Casualty U/1882/107/1026/8/19
14/10/1883 B Murphy John Sibling U/1883/219/1027/9/152
26/08/1885 B Murphy Bartholomew Sibling U/1885/217/1027/10/68
13/03/1887 B Murphy Patrick Sibling U/1887/217/1027/10/235
22/04/1889 B Murphy Margaret Sibling U/1889/217/1027/11/232
11/05/1891 B Murphy Athinesasis Sibling U/1891/217/1027/11/450 Leslie
17/03/1893 B Murphy Maria Sibling U/1893/217/1027/12/154 Archibold
16/07/1895 B Murphy Mary Sibling U/1895/6/1010/12/231
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 Census lists JP M Lists Joseph as RIC, living in barracks at house 2 in Glenravel Street, Dock Ward, Antrim
2 1911 Census lists Murphy Family Does not Joseph as living with the family at house 31 in Annalee Street, Clifton, Antrim
3 Brother - Bartholomew Murphy Attestation Papers Bartholomew Murphy enlisted August 1914 with Canadians
4 Brother -Wikipedia - Leslie Murphy, goalkeeper Details of Leslie's football career.
5 Journeyofremembering.com Lists J P Murphy as living in Liverpool when he enlisted.
6 Kipling's Book Lists J P Murphy as killed in action.
7 Leeds United website Details and photo of Leslie Murphy
8 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Joseph Murphy
9 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
10 Roya lrish Constabulary Forum Photo of Joseph P Murphy
11 Roya lrish Constabulary Forum Thread on Joseph P Murphy and family
12 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Joseph P Murphy's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023