Thomas Murphy was the eldest son of Hugh and of Mary Murphy (nee Cullen). They were married about 1893.
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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.
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From birth records, it seems the family returned to live in Omagh in 1895.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Thomas emigrated to Canada / USA.
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Thomas enlisted with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps.
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Cadet Thomas Murphy was killed in a flying accident at Toronto.
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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.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 26th December 1942: 25 Years Ago – Deaths
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26th October 1917 – Cadet Thomas Murphy of Cookstown, killed in a flying accident at Toronto.
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Cadet Thomas X Murphy is buried at Toronto (Mount Hope) Cemetery.
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Cadet Thomas Murphy is listed on Ballycarry War Memorial.
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Many thanks to Wesley Wright for taking the photo.
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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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