Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 ‘Italian Campaign’ M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major S. O. Murphy, Devonshire Regiment, attached 7th (Machine Gun) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches in 1940, and was wounded on 16 June 1944 at the Anzio Breakout

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya (Major. S. O. Murphy. M.B.E. Devon.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, good very fine and better (7) £400-£500

M.B.E. London Gazette 19 April 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original recommendation states: ‘Major Murphy, in his capacity of Battalion Second-in-Command, has particularly distinguished himself during the actions on R. Garigliano, at Minturno, and again in Anzio during the period 1 May – 24 June 1944. Since Machine Gun placements are spread over the whole Divisional front the problem of administration is a very real one and Major Murphy, who possesses the very deepest sense of duty, has not only solved the problem very efficiently but has also been instrumental in maintaining a high state of morale among all ranks. His visits to placements in exposed areas, showing complete disregard for personal safety, have added to the reputation he has built up in the unit with which he has served since 1939.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 26 July 1940:
‘In recognition of distinguished services in connection with operations in the field.’

Stephen Otteran Murphy was born in 1911 at Weston-super-Mare. He was educated at Beaumont College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment on 27 August 1931. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1935 and posted to 1/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in the rank of Captain on 10 October 1939. He embarked as Convoy Commander with his Battalion for France to join the British Expeditionary Force on 28 October 1939. Captain Murphy was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions in France during the period up to March 1940. He was in command of C Company, 7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment during their advance into Belgium in accordance with ‘Plan D’ on 10 May 1940 and during their subsequent withdrawal and evacuation from the Dunkirk beaches on 29th May 1940.

In March 1942, now advanced Major, Murphy was posted to Bombay, India and then onwards to Basrah, Iraq arriving in September 1942 where he served with Paiforce (Persia and Iraq Command) under General Sir Maitland Wilson. He attended the Staff College in Quetta from February 1943 to August 1943 and then briefly joined the Middle East Staff Pool before returning to England. He was once again attached to the 7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in October 1943 and served with them in the Italian Campaign where he distinguished himself and was awarded the M.B.E. (Military) for his gallantry and devotion to duty at the Anzio Breakout in May and June 1944. He was injured on 16 June 1944 and admitted to Number 12 General Hospital, Near East, where he remained until he was discharged 26 November 1944 and once again embarked for England.

Murphy was attached HQ Palestine and Trans Jordan, stationed at Jerusalem, from November 1945 to October 1946 and served with the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment with the Far East Land Forces during the Malayan Emergency, based at Temorloh, Pahang from July 1949 to March 1950. He retired as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in February 1957 and died in Barnstaple in 1984.

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