Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy – Royal Garrison Artillery, 216th Siege Battery
Lieutenant Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy – Royal Garrison Artillery, 216th Siege Battery
Birth and Family Background
Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy
Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy was born in 1889
in Swansea, the son of Elias Murphy and Mary Williams, who
were married in 1885 at St Peter’s Church, Swansea.Elias Murphy and Mary Williams
marriage certificate
St Peter’s Church, Swansea
 |
| 1891 Census |
At the time of the 1891 Census, the Murphy family were residing in St Thomas, Swansea. Elias Murphy (23) was employed as a house joiner, and his wife Mary (30) managed the household. Their children were Hilda Mary (5) and Christopher (2).
 |
| 1901 Census |
By the 1901 Census, the family were living at 14 Ysgol Street, St Thomas, Swansea. Elias Murphy (38) was recorded as a carpenter, while Mary (40) managed the home. Their children were Hilda (15) and Christopher (12).
 |
| 1911 Census |
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 73 Ysgol Street, St Thomas, Swansea. Elias Murphy (48) was employed as a joiner and carpenter, and Mary (50) remained at home. Their children were Hilda (25), working as a domestic servant, and Christopher (22), recorded as a student.
Also present was a boarder, Leonard H. Ward (34).
Military Service
Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy was commissioned as a
Lieutenant with the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving with the 216th
Siege Battery. Siege batteries operated heavy artillery, providing
long-range fire against enemy gun positions, supply routes, and fortified
strongpoints. Their work placed officers and men under frequent threat from counter-battery
fire, aerial observation, and gas shelling.
Christopher’s conduct on active service was formally
recognised when he was mentioned in despatches, an honour awarded for distinguished
or meritorious service in the field.
Royal Garrison Artillery, 216th Siege Battery — May 1918
In May 1918, the 216th Siege Battery
was serving on the Western Front during a critical period following the
German Spring Offensive. British heavy artillery units were heavily
engaged in counter-battery fire, the destruction of enemy strongpoints,
and the disruption of German troop movements as the front stabilised after
intense fighting.
Siege batteries were regarded as high-value targets,
and German artillery frequently subjected their positions to sustained
bombardment, including high-explosive and gas shells. Gun positions,
ammunition dumps, and battery headquarters were regularly shelled, resulting in
steady casualties even when infantry activity was limited.
Officers such as Lieutenant Murphy were responsible
for directing gunfire, observing fall of shot, maintaining
communications, and supervising gun detachments. These duties often
required exposure in observation posts or movement between positions during
bombardments, greatly increasing the risk of injury. It was during this period
of intense artillery warfare that Christopher sustained the wounds from which he
later died.
Death and Burial
Lieutenant Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy died of
wounds on 8th May 1918. He is buried at Etaples Military
Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, one of the principal burial grounds
associated with the large base hospitals at Etaples.Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy
Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France
credit - findagrave
His death was reported in the South Wales Daily Post,
marking the loss of a Swansea officer whose service with the Royal Garrison
Artillery placed him among those operating some of the most heavily
targeted and dangerous weapons of the First World War
Comments
Post a Comment