Description
A fine World War I trio to a local Queenslander, serving with the 15th Battalion and later the 47th, who was wounded in action twice, the second during the German offensive ‘Operation Michael’ in which he was captured and taken a prisoner of war, only to die of his wounds. Medals unmounted, generally Extremely Fine and sold with new ribbon, the group sold directly from family and thus never before available for commerce.
WWI Prisoner of War groups are seldom seen on the market, and research indicates that very few if any at all have been available for sale through recent auctions, making this group scarce as such.
1914-15 Star, impressed “3363 PTE F.E. MURPHY. 15/BN AIF.”
British War Medal, impressed “3363 PTE F.E. MURPHY. 15 BN. A.I.F.”
Victory Medal, impressed “3363 PTE. F.E. MURPHY 15 BN. A.I.F.”
Born on Friday the 29th of November 1889 in Goondiwindi, Queensland, Francis Edward Murphy was the youngest son of Mr Edward Murphy and Mrs Catherine Murphy. Growing up in his hometown of Goondiwindi, Murphy attended Goondiwindi State School and in his early adult years was a jockey by trade. With the onset of the First World War, Murphy travelled to Brisbane and attested for the Australian Imperial Force for service overseas on the 30th of July 1915, enlisting as private 3363 of the 11th reinforcements to the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion.
- Embarked Brisbane aboard H.M. Australian Transport ‘Seang Bee’ on the 21st October 1915
In March of 1916, the AIF was expanded from two divisions to four – taking its experienced men from the 15th Battalion and its new recruits from Queensland and Tasmania, the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion formed part of the 12th Brigade, which was attached to the 4th Division.
- Transferred to 47th Australian Infantry Battalion 3rd of March 1916 whilst at Tel-El-Kebir
- Proceeded to join British Expeditionary Forces in France, embarking Alexandria aboard H.M. Transport ‘Caledonia’ on the 2nd June 1916, disembarking at Marseille 9th June
- Wounded in Action in France (G.S.W. left shoulder) 12th August 1916 (Battle of Pozières period)
- Admitted to 3rd Western General Hospital
The ‘German Spring offensive’ was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during the First World War, beginning on 21 March 1918, and was began with ‘Operation Michael’. Between the 30th of March and 5th of April 1918, the ‘First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’ took place, with the German objective to capture Villers-Bretonneux, close to Amiens, a strategically important road- and rail-junction which would have brought the Germans within artillery-range. Among British and other Australian units, the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion was heavily involved, including Murphy as part of ‘B’ Company.
- 5th of April 1918, Murphy wounded in action with shrapnel to the chest and legs, and possibly a broken leg, and was quickly bandaged on site but with the German advance was unable to be retrieved from the trenches
- Proclaimed missing 5th April 1918
- Captured by German forces and proclaimed Prisoner of War
- Died of wounds to chest and legs 9th of April 1918 whilst in German Hands
- Proclaimed missing 5th April 1918
Several Australian men of the 47th Battalion gave witness reports:
“I bandaged him up after our attack at Villers-Brittoneux in April. He was badly wounded by shrapnel in both legs and we had to leave him on the ground when we retired at about 5p.m. The Germans occupied the ground soon after. He was a mate of mine and was in B Company V. He was thin, dark, about 5’8” and about 25. We called him Frank” Private 3265 Arthur Arkinstall
“The Murphey was in V Pl. and came from Queensland. He was hit by a shell in a dugout on Apr.5th I saw it happen and we bandaged him, he wasn’t very bad. We had to retire and leave him in the dugout. He may be a prisoner of war.” Private 5697 J. Bryne
“I knew him well he was in my platoon. On the 5th April we were to the right of Albert Road holding the line. Fritz attacked about 2 p.m. and turned us out of our position behind an embankment. During the attack Murphy was hit by a shell and his leg was broken. It was dressed and he was put on a stretched but it was not possible to get him away and he should be a prisoner”. Private 2845 Daniel Carlill
“I was right alongside of him when he was wounded by shrapnel on the railway line between Albert and Amiens. I was wounded at the same time and do not know what became of Murphy.” Sergeant 1984 John Henry William Why
Francis E. Baker’s death was confirmed by the German death list June 1918 and was buried at the Parish cemetery at Villers-Faucon, Grave 65.