Brigadier General Cyril Francis de Sales Murphy was born in Cork on 17 May 1882. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he fought in the Great War with the Royal Flying Corps and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, and the Croix de Couronn, He also served in the Air Ministry during the Second World War. In 1926 Cyril married Marguerite Nagle. Her brother, Captain Gilbert Nagle of the Royal Sussex Regiment, was killed in action on 5 July 1917. Cyril’s brother Cuthbert also served in the Great War the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. These are just some of the military connections of the Murphy family, (who are better known in Cork as the brewers of Murphy’s Stout) that are explored by Gerard O’Meara in this presentation.
Gerard O’Meara is the secretary of the Cork Branch of the WFA. He is also a noted local historian and author of the book, ‘Lorrah People in the Great War’ which looks at the military service of people from his native parish in Co. Tipperary.
Photographs show the Murphy Brothers, founders of Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork, and Brigadier General Cyril Francis de Sales Murphy. Courtesy of Gerard O'Meara.