Tracing ancestor who worked in Detention Barracks Cork

[Boudicca95]

Hi there

I am trying to track an ancestor who is mentioned on his brother’s passenger documents to USA as being a sergeant at the Detention Barracks in Cork in 1909. I think I have found his attestation papers dated 1895 but need more confirmation that it is him - he possibly enlisted with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He has a common name William Murphy.

If he worked in the Detention Barracks would he still be with the Royal Munster Fusiliers? Where could I find further information about him. Marriage and death certificates are hard to identify due to his common name. DOB is 1879.

Any information would be gratefully received.

Liz

[Maiden Stone]

Royal Munster Fusiliers Association
https://www.rmfa92.org/research/
See also "Regimental History" tab for information about battalions in the regiment.
Surviving regimental records are at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk not in Ireland.

National Army Museum - enlistment books of disbanded Irish regiments - records of soldiers serving 1920-22. Results of surname search has 1 William Murphy in Royal Munster Fusiliers then but he was too young for your man.
https://www.nam.ac.uk/soldiers-records/persons

What information is on the attestation papers you found?

[Boudicca95]

Hi and thanks for the response.

On the attestation papers his age is 18 years and 6 months - according to my records he was 16 years and 5 months in 1895. His home address tallies with one given on different parental documents - 42 John Street Cork ( on documents sometimes 41 or 42 John Street or Lower John Street appears - this makes me think it is very likely to be him) - Service number 2917. Previous job valet in Royal Hotel Fermoy.

There is a lot of interesting info (including a physical description) but nothing to help me track him down later in life!

Liz

[riannisuileabhain]

the attestation papers you have found could definitely be correct - it wasn’t uncommon for young men (especially those who could pass as older) to lie about their age in order to start making money. the matching address is quite convincing too.

[Maiden Stone]

Was he in Ireland for 1911 census? Soldiers may have been recorded in barracks with initials rather than full names . Have you found other members of the family on 1901 & 1911 census?
Have you looked for him in WW1 records? A new compilation of Irish soldiers who died was published online recently. 

[Kiltaglassan]

Have you looked for him in WW1 records? A new compilation of Irish soldiers who died was published online recently.

See https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=855255.0

New database released by Tipperary County Council Library Service.

Link:
https://irelandsgreatwardead.ie/

[Maiden Stone]

Kiltaglassan, that's the one I was thinking of. 2 entries for William Murphy in Royal Munster Fusiliers. Killed at Gallipoli on same day.

[ShaunJ]

42 John Street Cork

The address is "that of a common lodging house"

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo96%2f1216%2f195%2f004&parentid=gbm%2fwo96%2f1216%2f1592571