Hi Everyone,
I am researching my Irish family tree and I'm trying to find any relatives of my Grandparents.
My Grandfather, James (Albert) Murphy was from Bray and returned back to Bray after living in Essex most of his adult life and stayed with his sister Jennie she had children Hubie and May Cahill and probably more. My Grandfather lived with the Cahill's at 36 Duncairn Avenue, Bray at the time of his death (15th September 1998). I last saw my Granddad when I was 6 years old in Romford, Essex in 1982.
Albert was actually born in Portsmouth in 1921 because his father was stationed there in the Army, although their family home was always in Bray.
Searching military records, Albert Murphy was in the Irish Guard before WW2 and was based in Palestine. Later in 1940 he served in the Army Air Corp and later formed today's Parachute regiment where he served in multiple battles up to the battle of Arnhem.
My Grandfather had brother and sisters, all from Bray, in order:
* - in Australia & in his 90's
James Albert - My G/father 1921-1998
Michael - Died 1980's Kinturk Ireland
Eddie - Died 1978
Huwie - Died TB 1942
Jack - Died on HMS repulse 1941
*
* - in High Wycombe
* - in Australia aged 92, captain in British Army Parachute regiment starting pre WW2. Went to Australia in 1960's and joined army there and was an instructor for Vietnam carde and finished as a Major after 40 years service between both armies.
James Albert (My Grandfather) - Also pre WW2 soldier, Irish Fusiliers. Serving in Palestine pre WW2 and was an army parachutist in Army Air Corps then parachute regiment when it was formed. Served in North Africa and Italy. Got drunk a lot! And was injured (broke leg) in the practice for Arnhem 1944. He went back to Ireland used to send an ambulance from Belfast to pick him up for medicals. He never returned to active service and was de-mobbed in 1946. Was then a carpenter and married Molly (Mary Josephine Murphy) 1953, lived in Ladbroke Grove, West London.
Moved to Ilford, Mayfair Avenue in 1960. Worked as self employed carpenter til 1970. Then was a maintenance foreman for Lee Conservancy Water Board later Thames Water until retirement.
Moved to Peterborough 1984, lived near his sister Betty and then went to Ireland circa 1989-90. His ashes are on Bray head and an inscription on a grave in St Peters Church, Dublin Road, Bray.
Michael - Married Shelia, has 2 daughters (one called Danuta) retired to Kinturk Ireland. Died there in the 1980's.
Eddie - bit of a lunatic, fingers missing - blown off in a fight with a gun. Had tattoos on his bum! Died in 1978 from injuries from a fight in a pub!
Huwie - Died of TB in 1943. Had been in Arklow recovering from TB, he came home presumed getting better and died. Buried St Peter's Church graveyard.
Jack - Died HMS Repulse December 1941 off of Singapore aged 18. He was a ship gunner.
Betty - married Paddy Reilly, had 5 children. Their names *, ### , *, *, Jackie. Died Breast cancer 1991.
* - Married * Kelling, 2 children * and *. Always lived in High Wycombe, now moving closer to daughter in Lincolnshire. She's currently 79 will be having her 80 birthday in Bray that we are going to in April 2013- can you come to this (it's a bit of a family reunion)?
My Grandmother (Molly) christened Mary Josephine Murphy born 19/04/1932. Her mother was Delia Reid (she was born illegitimately and they forged 'Murphy' onto the birth certificate being the most popular name in Ireland). Her mother came from Middleton County Cork to Dublin to have the baby. She was then given away to a family called the Burns who lived in the same road as my Grandfather (Boghall area of Bray - can't remember name of road). Her father was a policemen called Jack McManus who worked at Middleton police station. He married a woman who couldn't have children and Delia Reid never had other children either. In the 70's, Delia Reid lived in a flat at 1 Ranelagh Street, Ranelagh, Dublin. She was a chain smoker!
His Father (my Great-Grandfather) was called Jack Murphy (also from Bray) was born 1887 and died approx 1971. Although he lived in Bray I'm not sure where he was born but know that he was in France during WW1 and came out of retirement for WW2 working as a Sgt drill instructor at Enniskillen, Northen Ireland. During his time there 2 of his sons came through the depot. When he died he lived in Ladbrooke Grove, West London and had previously worked for Guinness also in London. He and his wife (Anne, maiden name Pearce) lived in a flat, which my Dad can still remember visiting in the late 1960's.
Jack Murphy had a brother Michael Murphy (apparently a 'strongman' of Ireland doing feats of strength). He lived at 15 Queensborough Road, Bray at time of death living with his sister Jennie.
Most of this information comes from my cousin Conor who has been a great help with the research.
Now I'm due to come over to Bray in April, I'm trying to source as much extended family as possible.
If anyone has any information on any of my family, please could they respond here.
Thank you all.
Regards,
Roy Murphy
Moderator note : posted edited - see following reply.