Henry James Murphy

Oct 1, 1897

Born in Dummer Township, Ontario

 

Aug 18, 1915

Shown on the payroll of the 40th Northumberland Regiment, Canadian Militia

 

Aug 19, 1915

Attested into the 77th Battalion CEF in Cobourg, Ontario

Ø  Number 144913

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Jane Murphy, mother, Norwood, Ontario

o   Later noted as Foster Mother

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 year in the Home Guard

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Assigned to the battalion’s 1st Regimental Draft

 

Oct 23, 1915

The battalion’s 1st Regimental Draft embarked the SS California in Quebec, City, Quebec

 

 
 

Oct 31, 1915

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe where the draft was absorbed into the 12th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Mar 15, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 16,1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot Private Murphy joined the 21st Battalion in the N & O trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

Sep 15, 1916

The 21st Battalion was given the objective of attacking the sugar refinery near Courcelette as part of the battle of the Somme.  The sugar refinery was strongly defended and the fighting lasted for 3 days before the refinery and surrounding trenches were captured.  It is unclear exactly when, but Private Henry James Murphy was killed in action between the 15th and 17th of September.  His identifiable body was never recovered from the battlefield and his name is recorded on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war with no known grave

 

  
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Jane Murphy, Norwood, Ontario

 

Henry James Murphy is honoured on the Norwood, Ontario War Memorial

 

 


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