James Twomey Murphy's letter to his mother
James Twomey Murphy was my grand uncle, from Aghabullogue, County Cork, Ireland. He worked in his uncle's shop in Macroom as a drapery salesman. He is shown in the 1911 census to have lived in Drumcondra, Dublin. He emigrated to Western Australia at the age of 31, where he joined the Australian Imperial Forces on August 9th 1915. He was assigned to the AIF 11th Rifles, 11th Battalion. His regiment number was 3436. He embarked at Freemantle on the H.M.A.T 38 Ulysses on November 2nd 1915 , and during his service he fought at the Battle of the Somme and was stationed in Egypt and Marseilles. During the war he was confirmed missing in action for two years but was in fact discovered to have died in the trenches on the 29th of July 1916. Confusion in record keeping meant that the circumstances of his death were initially very unclear. The War Office got James's regiment number mixed up with a different James Murphy, whose regiment number was 3435. On May 27th 1918 a court of inquiry confirmed that James Twomey Murphy was killed in action in France. He is remembered in Perth on a tree-lined avenue, where the Australian government planted a tree in dedication for each of the fallen soldiers.
The item associated with this story is a five page letter sent from the army camp in Perth on the 12th of October 1915, which was found only six years ago in a wall of the family home. James was writing to his mother back in Ireland, offering us some insight into why he joined up. He felt he was fighting for Ireland's interests as well as those of Australia, to protect them from German rule. The letter addresses James' legacy, dividing up his insurance money and business investments amongst his parents. He also requests that a friend in Dublin be reimbursed £30. As he states in the letter, the gentleman in question bought Marconi wireless shares from James, and did him a good turn in purchasing them. This letter was sent before James departed for Egypt.
The item associated with this story is a five page letter from James Murphy, sent from the army camp in Perth on the 12th of October 1915
CONTRIBUTOR
Aileen Unger
DATE
/
LANGUAGE
eng
ITEMS
1
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
Discover Similar Stories
Martin J Sheehan's letter to his mother page 4 | July 1918
1 Item
Letter from Lieut Martin J Sheehan to his mother, page 4, 10th July 1918, the last page continues: He never went Home. I met Eileen in Boulogne and she is down beside the Sea, and in one of the finest Hospitals in France. She is very lucky. We sat together on the Sands and talked a lot. We had several meals together and Eileen is very fond of Sweet things indeed. She will get along very well where she is. Good Bye for a while. Always your loving Son Martin. PS. Bishop the famous Canadian Airman used to be in this Squadron. || Back
Martin J Sheehan's letter to his mother page 2 | July 1918
1 Item
Back || Letter from Lieut Martin J Sheehan to his mother page 2, 10th July 1918 reading: The Weather is very fine indeed, and though we did have a thunderstorm the night before it has served to clear the athmosphere slightly. Well Mother you need not worry about me. You say the Bosche has got better and braver than me. Perhaps, But that was in the days when we were not superior in the air. Now we have them licked upside down, and I am a damm good shot, and my gun fires about
Martin J Sheehan's letter to his mother page 1 | July 1918
1 Item
Front || Martin J Sheehan's four page letter to his mother dated 10th July (1918 as only possible year) is the only surviving (very faded) (poignant) family letter from the Western Front. Martin describes how they now had the Bosche (Germans) licked upside down sending one down in flames yesterday. How he was sure of coming home alright. Last page relates meeting his sister (a VAD nurse) in hospital recuperation. His address at the top of page one: Lt M J Sheehan, 13 Squadron, R.A.F., B.E.F., France, then goes on: My dearest Mother, I am very sorry indeed that I could not have written before but I am sorry to say that they have sent me up the line again. Sorry for your sake, for I do not mind it at all. I will send your cheque as soon as possible, but I have been getting just flying pay for some time past, and one does not get the various Corps Allowances when in Hospital. In a month or so I will try and manage it.