MURPHY, Thomas. CH. WW1. CWGC.
Died 21/11/1914 Age 31. Lance Serjeant, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), 2nd Bn. Service Number 6388. Son of Mary Ann Roe (formerly Murphy), of 4, Sacheverel St., Derby, and the late William Murphy.
Thomas MURPHY was born on the 27 November 1873 and his birth was registered in Derby in the first quarter of 1884. He was baptised on 19 July 1891 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Derby. His parents were William Murphy and May Ann Murphy (nee McCarthy) who had married in the third quarter of 1881 in Derby.
The 1891 Census has his family living at 4, Eagle & Child Yard, Queen Street, St Alkmund Parish, Derby. His father William Murphy was not present at the 1891 Census, the family are listed as Mary Ann Murphy, her eldest son Edward, Thomas, and younger children Ada and James.
Thomas’s father, William Murphy, died in the third quarter of 1894 in Derby.
On the 27 August 1895 Thomas MURPHY was enrolled as a pupil at the Derby British School, Orchard Street, Derby by his mother Mary Ann Murphy, at which time they were living at 24 St Mary’s Gate, Derby.
His mother, as a widow aged 35, married William ROE on 6 April 1896 in Derby. By the 1901 Census the Roe family were at 6 Devonshire Terrace, Full Street, Derby, but Thomas MURPHY was by that time serving with the army. The 1911 Census has the family living at 31 Full Street, Derby. His step-father William ROE died in Derby in the third quarter of 1913, leaving Mary Ann ROE a widow for the second time.
Thomas MURPHY had enlisted as a boy soldier with the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) in about 1897. He was reported to be an accomplished footballer, including playing for Derby County Reserves. He rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant and following the outbreak of WW1 was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force but was wounded and repatriated on 8 September 1914. He succumbed to his wounds at Aldershot on 21 November 1914.
His funeral service was held at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday 27th November 1914 followed by burial at Nottingham Road Cemetery where his grave is marked with a CWGC headstone. His mother Mary Ann Roe, who died on 8 April 1939, and his step-father William Roe, are also buried in the same plot.
His mother Mary Ann Roe received his personal effects from the army.
Thomas MURPHY was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914 Star.
Sources: Derby Census of 1891, 1901 and 1911. Baptism Records, Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Derby. Derby School Registers. Military Medal Records and Register of Soldiers’ Effects. Newspaper articles and announcements.
Compiled by Malcolm Ward, 1st cousin twice removed of Thomas MURPHY
