WW1

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MURPHY, FRANK

Informal portrait of 894 Private (Pte) Frank Murphy, 49th Battalion, of Alonnah, Tas. Pte Murphy was a farm labourer before enlisting on 30 July 1916. He embarked from Hobart with D Company, 40th Battalion, on HMAT Berrima on 1 July 1916. On 1 November 1916 he was taken on strength of the 49th Battalion. He was killed in action by a shell at Messines Ridge, Belgium, on 7 June 1917, at the age of 19. His platoon commander stated that 'his coolness and courage was greatly admired by all his comrades'

"This lad was in my platoon on the occasion of the attack on Messines Ridge he did excellent work during the attack and afterwards when the objective was gained worked hard to consolidate the position one. He obtained a German rifle and a large quantity of ammunition and smoking a German cigar he had found in a captured digout, he climbed on to the parapet and did splendid work sniping. During the heavy bombardment on the evening of the 8th June a heavy howitzer shell exploded right in the trench killing Pte Murphy instantly. His coolness and courage was greatly admired by all his comrades. He was buried at the spot where he was killed at _. Map reference sheet 28.W. o. 28. A. p.1. As the battalion was relieved on the following night and has not been in that area since, it was impossible to put up a cross to mark his grave. Pte. Murphy has a brother who is still serving in the No 7 Platoon "B" Coy., 19th Batn. Letter from:- R.W. Argue Lieut. France, 17.9.17.

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