An email from S/M Alan Cox, Secretary No 4 Area, asking for assistance. This is a long post (originating in Australia) but ultimately local for us. I have not included all of the thread due to data protection.
Shipmates,
I received this e-mail relating to the funeral arrangements for a WW2 Veteran S/m Ron Murphy. It has taken a long route from his son who resides in Australia through several different agencies before it came to me. (Then only by chance)
I have no knowledge if ‘Ron’ was an RNA ‘Bridport’ member but as an ex-RN serviceman he is entitled to be remembered as such.
As the Funeral is to be held in Bradpole, Bridport – Holy Trinity Church at 12.30 on the 1st August. I despatch to all Area 4 branches to see if any Branch member or Standard Bearer is able to attend to represent the RNA. Contact and availability should be passed to Bridport Branch Secretary for co-ordination.
Yours Aye
S/m Alan Cox
No 4 Area Hon. Sec.
Forwarded Message ——–
Subject:
Fwd: Mr Ronald James Murphy
Date:
Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:48:40 +0100 (BST)
From:
j.edwards643 <j.edwards643@btinternet.com>
To: tony_seal@tiscali.co.uk
CC: helenmarieedwards@me.com
Tony
Apologies for sending this to you but a WW2, D Day vet funeral next month (below highlighted in red) and i don’t have Paul’s email.
Would you mind forwarding on to Paul/the standard bearer community please to see if we can get a few there.
Cheers
Ted
Original Message —— From: “Helen Edwards” <helenmarieedwards@me.com> Sent: Monday, 10 Jul, 23 At 12:01 Subject: Mr Ronald James Murphy
Dear All, At work one of our/ my jobs is to coordinate flypasts, displays etc. Occasionally we get requests to support funerals. This one is relatively local to our branch, and is for a WW2 Veteran.
The funeral is due to take place 1230 1st August at The Holy Trinity church, Bradpole, Bridport.
A couple of VLN sqns are hoping to be able to support by flying over.
If anyone is able to support, please let me know, I will then let Phil at VLN know so he can inform the family.
Thank you all very much
Helen
Subject: RE: Funeral arrangements
Good morning Phil,
Thanks again for your email and your condolences.
My father Ronald James Murphy was born on 13 August 1924 in Brockley London. At the age of 15 he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy as WW2 started. Dad spent 6 years in the war including service in Combined Ops (France and Germany Star), D-Day and the Far-East achieving the Burma Star medal as Quartermaster HM Landing Ship Tank 331 (LST) SE Asia Command.
After WW2 finished, Dad took up a role with the Admiralty in Whitehall, subsequently transferring to Gosport, Bath and finally to Portland. His last posting was at the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, on Portland where his role was Senior Executive Officer. In 1980 Dad was awarded an MBE from HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his services to the Ministry of Defence. [I was very fortunate to be able to witness this event at the Palace.] Dad retired from the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment in 1984.
In 2016 Dad was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur. I have attached a copy of the letter from the French Ambassador in London.
I have also attached a copy of an article published in the Dorset Echo in September 2016 that describes a very interesting event that took place on D-Day on the shores of Juno Beach. We were very fortunate to have an identical model of his landing craft made which is displayed with pride with his medals. The actual keys to the landing craft remain with the model.
I have taken the liberty of attaching a letter addressed to the Air Station Commodore making a formal request for some Royal Navy representation at Dad’s funeral. I do hope that this will be viewed favourably.
Thanks again Phil for your interest and support. We are all most appreciative.
Regards, Barry
Barry J Murphy
PO Box 159
Bowral NSW 2576
Australia
T: +61 (0)409 341 919
E: barry.murphy.007@hotmail.com