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Pte. Harry Murphy MM.
British Army 6th Battalion Cheshire Regiment
from:Edgeley, Stockport
(d.31st Aug 1918)
Harry Murphy's original service number, 2337, suggests that he was a pretty war territorial or enlisted in the first few days of war breaking out. At some point in his service, Harry won the Military Medal although it is not know when he undertook his act of bravery but he did receive a letter from the general to express his "appreciation and gratitude of his gallantry and devotion to duty when you preformed admirable work as Battalion runner under the most difficult and dangerous conditions". Harry's brother, James Murphy, was also awarded the Military Medal in June 1918 but, unfortunately, there is no account for when he undertook his act of bravery.
On 28th of August 1918, Harry and James were with the Battalion in front line trenches at Locre, 10 kilometres south west of the town centre of Ypres. The Battalion's War Diary only records "Situation very quiet. Weather very inclement". What probably happened during the day is that an enemy shell landed in the trench killing a lieutenant and wounding 7 other including Harry and James. Although from personal records they say that "as they were marching to the front line a shell exploded and cut through the line of men killing the lieutenant and then wounding the men behind. Although it is unknown how accurate this is. However we do know that the shrapnel landed in James' side and wounded him but miraculously managed to survive. However, Harry received shrapnel in his foot and was excavated 30 kilometres to a casualty clearing station in the town of Arneke where military surgeons amputated his foot. A letter for a sister at the clearing station said that there was little hope of him surviving. And on the 31st of August 1918 Harry died from gangrene. He is buried at Arneke British Cemetery.
