Oct 1, 1897

Born in Dummer Township, Ontario

Aug 18, 1915

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

Aug 19, 1915

Attested into the 77^th 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 1^st Regimental Draft

Oct 23, 1915

The battalion’s 1^st 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 12^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Mar 15, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 16,1916

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

Mar 21, 1916

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

Sep 15, 1916

The 21^st 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 15^th and 17^th 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