Arthur Welsley Murphy - 844974
- Sean Maas-Stevens
- Sep 2
- 1 min read
Arthur Welsley Murphy was born on 6 July 1890 in Wilkesport, Ontario to Richard Murphy (likely the brother of Morris William Murphy, who also served). Having left his job as a mechanic, he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 6 April 1916 at Brigden, Ontario. He began his service as a Private with the 149th Overseas Battalion.
Private Murphy deployed to England aboard the S.S. Lapland, arriving on 7 April 1917. He arrived in Liverpool, and moved to Bramshott segregation camp. There he joined the 25th Reserve Battalion. Both William and Arthur arrived in England at the same time, but their service diverged from that point onward. In February 1918, Private Arthur Murphy was posted to the 4th Reserve Battalion.
In March 1918, Private Murphy joined the 47th Battalion and deployed to the field. In April, he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD). At the outset of WWI, the RCD was a cavalry regiment, but predominantly served as infantry throughout the war. On 30 March 1918 (a couple weeks before Private Murphy would join them) the RCD participated in what has been called the last of the great cavalry charges at Moreuil Woods.
Following the Armistice on 11 November, Private Murphy was posted in March 1919 to Kinmel Park Camp.
Arthur Wesley Murphy returned to Canada and was discharged for demobilization on 23 May 1919. He intended to live in London, Ontario after the war.
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