Michael Murphy : Short Biography

Michael Murphy was born in 1837 in Cahir, County Tipperary. 

As a young man, Murphy enlisted in the British military forces. On the 27th of August 1856, Murphy arrived with his battalion in Calcutta just as the Indian Mutiny was breaking out. They were then deployed to Lucknow on a relief mission. En route the battalion found themselves in a battle in Nathupur. 

On the 15th of April, during the fighting at Nathupur, Murphy was severely wounded while defending an injured comrade. He was awared the prestigious Victoria Cross for his bravery in protecting the injured man even though he himself was suffering from his wounds. However, his injuries rendered him invalided and he was sent to England to recover. There he trained as a farrier, which was a role he held in various locations for the rest of his military career. This position eventually saw him returning to Ireland with his wife and children as he was stationed at The Curragh. 

Murphy was ordered to forfeit his Victoria Cross after becoming involved in the alleged theft of hay and oats. Although he had worn his Victoria Cross every day at his trial, when the time came to hand it over it could not be found. Murphy served his nine months of hard labour and then returned to his military duties. 

After his discharge from the military in 1875, Murphy took up a career as a civilian blacksmith. By now he was living in England again. He died of pneumonia on the 4th of April 1893 and he is buried in the North Road Municipal Cemetery in Darlington.