Owen Murphy

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. Owen had been in hospital in January 1917 with influenza, vomiting and diarrhoea. His trench belongings included a safety razor and blades and 1 sock were given to his father as was his Memorial Scroll, British War Medal and Victory Medal (see Service Records 3,5 and 6). Owen was Killed in Action on the opening day of the 1st Battle of the Scarpe on the 09/04/1917. This was part of the Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April -16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive : the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. Owen was originally buried in Chapel Road Cemetery. He was reburied in Tilloy British Cemetery (see photos x 2). See photos for Owen's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, another photo of Owen's Grave, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Tilloy British Cemetery, his Service Records x 20, Owen's Pension Records x 3 and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.