Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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70865   Cadet Thomas Xavier Murphy
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Dated added: 24/11/2019   Last updated: 11/02/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Canadian Royal Flying Corps (Canadian Air Force)
Died: 26/10/1917 (Died by accident)
Age: 23
Summary      
Thomas Xavier Murphy was the eldest son of Hugh and of Mary Murphy (nee Cullen). He was born about 1894 in Thayetmyo, Burma. His father was in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Thomas was the oldest of six children. It seems the family returned to live in Omagh in 1895. Thomas emigrated to Canada / USA. Thomas enlisted with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Cadet Thomas Murphy was killed in a flying accident near Toronto.
Further Information
Thomas Murphy was the eldest son of Hugh and of Mary Murphy (nee Cullen). They were married about 1893.
Thomas Xavier Murphy was born about 1894 in Thayetmyo, Burma. His father was in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Thomas was the oldest of six children.
From birth records, it seems the family returned to live in Omagh in 1895.
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 7, living with the family at house 30 in Loy Street, Cookstown. His father was a sergeant in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Family: Hugh Murphy, Mary Murphy, Thomas Xavier Murphy (born about 1894 in Thayetmyo, Burma, Mary Murphy (born 31st July 1895, Cookstown), Rosanna A Murphy (born 27th September 1897, Omagh), Martha Ellen P Murphy (born 3rd July 1900, Omagh), Eileen / Elaine / Ellen Josephine Murphy (born 6th October 1902, Cookstown), Hugh Patrick Murphy (born 1st July 1904, Cookstown).
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 17, living with the family at house 3 in Union Street, Cookstown. Thomas was still at school. Hugh Murphy was described as a pensioner from the 4th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was working as a rural postman.
Thomas emigrated to Canada / USA.
Thomas enlisted with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps.
Cadet Thomas Murphy was killed in a flying accident at Toronto.
It is believed he was killed at Leaside Aerodrome near Toronto. The book ‘Dancing in the Sky: The Royal Flying Corps in Canada’ refers to the accident in a table of those killed.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 26th December 1942: 25 Years Ago – Deaths
26th October 1917 – Cadet Thomas Murphy of Cookstown, killed in a flying accident at Toronto.
Cadet Thomas X Murphy is buried at Toronto (Mount Hope) Cemetery.
Cadet Thomas Murphy is listed on Ballycarry War Memorial.
Thomas Murphy is listed on Ballycarry War Memorial.
Many thanks to Wesley Wright for taking the photo.
The CWGC record Cadet Thomas X Murphy as the son of Hugh Murphy of Bentra, Ballcarry, County Antrim, Ireland, and of Mary Murphy of 532 Jamaica Avenue, Astoria, Long Island, New York.
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References and Links
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1 1901 Census lists Murphy family Lists Thomas as age 7 living with the family at house 30 in Loy St, Cookstown, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Murphy family Lists Thomas as age 17 living with the family at house 3 in Union Street, Cookstown Urban, Tyrone
3 Ballycarry War Memorial Thomas Murphy listed on Ballycarry War Memorial
4 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of Cadet Thomas Murphy
5 FindAGrave.com Photo of Cadet Thomas Murphy's grave
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Cadet Thomas Murphy's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023