Description
Africa General Service Medal, bar Somaliland 1908-10, S.S. 102659 William Murphy, Stoker 2nd Class, HMS Barham, with copy service records.
Officially impressed: “S.S. 102659 W. Murphy, Sto. 2CL. H.M.S. Barham.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, one of about 2351 clasps issued to the 6 Royal Navy ships present during the campaign.
Stoker 1st Class William Murphy, Royal Navy, was born on 30th March 1887, in Stepney, London.
Having worked as a Printer’s Assistant he signed up with the Royal Navy on 14th March 1906, as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS Acheron.
He was one of those who signed up for what is called the “5 and 7”, a Short Service engagement with 5 years of service and 7 in the reserves.
He saw service on:
HMS Acheron, 14th march 1906 – 15th August 1906
Pembroke II, 16th August 1906 – 11th Jan 1909
HMS Royal Arthur, 12th January 1909 – 26th January 1909
HMS Barham, 27th Jan 1909 – 5th April 1911.
During this period HMS Barham took part in the operations that would entitle him to the “Somaliland 1908-10” clasp for the Africa General Service Medal during early 1909.
He would also be promoted during this time, to Stoker 1st Class on 15th May 1901.
HMS Pembroke, 4th April 1911 – 4th April 1911
Transferred to Royal Fleet Reserve at Chatham B7512 on 5th April 1911.
He was likely liable to be recalled in 1914 upon outbreak of WW1, but there is no trace of his mobilisation, so this should be his only medal entitlement.
With his retirement from the Navy, he returned to London and his old job Printing and married Ellen
