I haven’t replied further until now because I have been trying to find out as much as I can along the lines suggested – for which, many thanks. Sadly, I’m not much further forward.
I assume you've searched for a 2nd marriage for Elizabeth b1893 under married name and maiden name?
Checked for marriages of Elizabeth Murphy between 1914 and 1939. Problem is there are many, so restricted to those in the Wigan / Horwich area. Found four possibles but all eventually discarded.
I looked for marriages and deaths of Elizabeth Longley but there was only one and that was in a part of Lancashire many miles away - and where there are others of that name already there.
I do know her exact birth date so used that to search for any Elizabeth born 7.11.1893 in Lancashire. However, when I checked Freebmd none of the maiden names matched.
I also looked in the 1939 register for Elizabeth Ann born 1893 in Horwich. There were none, but there were some Elizabeth, listed as Cakes(Davenport), Case, Fairbrother, Kershaw, Watmough. I cross-checked marriages in Freebmd and Lancsbmd for each of these surnames married to an Elizabeth but found nothing that was either Murphy, Longley or anything like it.
What about other family members?
Her parents were John Smith Longley (born c1868, died 1942) and Eliza Jane nee Cooper ( born c1872 but died 1916). I searched for her father who fortunately has a fairly distinctive name, but he’s not on the 1939 register nor have I found him on any electoral rolls, though of course many of them are not online.He is on some family trees in Ancestry and I looked at them even though they are far from 100% reliable. However, there is nothing beyond her marriage to James Murphy in any of them.
I haven't yet looked for her siblings but that's on my "To Do" list"
If Elizabeth was a war widow she may have received a pension.
How can I check that?
Btw I've seen Murphy spelled or transcribed as "Murfy". Yes, worth a try but no James.
I have found a possible death - Elizabeth Ann Murphy died 1916 in Openshaw aged 22. But I have no more information on that, and there is another Elizabeth Ann Murphy (born 1893) in Lancashire in 1911.
Unless anyone has any bright ideas - or even brighter definite information! - I will now start to look at Elizabeth Ann's siblings, also their daughter Eileen (also seems to be poorly recorded if at all).
I've also come across some references in a Genes Reunited search to 8 results for James Murphy in "Armed Foirces and Conflict". Not sure how best to pursue them.
And now I think I'll have a lie down ......