Private Albert Patrick Murphy

Albert Patrick Murphy was born in England on 30 May 1906 and later lived at Athelstan, Quebec. A farm labourer from his youth, he enlisted in the Canadian Army at Montreal on 28 May 1940 as D-16401. He sailed overseas in February 1941 and served in the United Kingdom with Canadian engineer, ordnance and support organizations. Murphy trained as an army cook, qualified Cook 'C' in 1943 and transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1944. His wife Grace and their son John Albert lived at Athelstan during his service. After returning to Canada in 1945, Murphy hoped to establish a full-time dairy farm in Huntingdon County under the Veterans' Land Act. He was discharged as a Private at Montreal South on 12 September 1945.

1906-05-30 — Born; wartime service forms record birthplace as England.
1940-05-28 — Enlisted in Canadian Army Active Force as Private D-16401.
1940-08-10 — Posted to Unit of Mobilization, Canadian Officer Training Corps, St. Johns.
1940-08-26 — Ceased posting to St. Johns.
1940-09-15 — Taken on strength of No. 3 Salvage Company/Unit.
1940-12-20 — Granted furlough effective 20 December 1940.
1941-02-06 — Proceeded overseas; later enquiry records sailing date 6 February 1941.
1941-06-10 — Attached for rations and quarters to H.Q. Canadian Base Units.
1941-08-14 — Ceased attachment to H.Q. Canadian Base Units.
1941-08-15 — Granted 1st privilege leave with warrant for 10 days.
1942-03-20 — Attached to reinforcement organization.
1942-03-26 — Awarded 7 days confined to barracks.
1942-04-17 — Attached to 4th Field Company while on course.
1942-04-24 — Ceased attachment on course completion.
1942-10-16 to 1942-11-16 — Thirty days ration allowance/leave entries recorded.
1943-02-16 — Attached to No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Workshop / reinforcement organization.
1943-03-30 — Daily rate of pay recorded as $1.50.
1943-04-20 — Taken on strength of 1 C.O.R.U. from 3 Canadian Infantry Base organization.
1943-07-12 to 1943-07-24 — Attended cook course.
1943-07-18 — Trade-qualified Cook 'C'.
1943-09-13 to 1943-09-27 — Granted 14 days privilege leave with ration allowance.
1943-09-30 — Transferred from reinforcement unit and granted temporary duty as Cook 'C'.
1943-11-18 — Administrative posting/transfer entry recorded.
1943-12-13 — Administrative posting/transfer entry recorded.
1944-02-03 — Jeanne Léonard wrote to National Defence seeking Murphy's current address after receiving no letters for about twenty months; she described herself as a close friend of the family.
1944-02-17 to 1944-02-18 — Director of Records replied that Murphy was in good health and serving overseas with No. 1 Canadian Ordnance Reinforcement Unit.
1944-03 — Transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps; continued in cook duties.
1944-03-05 to 1944-03-14 — Granted 9 days privilege leave plus meal allowance.
1944-03-20 — Appointed/confirmed in Cook 'C' duties on establishment with 1 C.O.M.E.R.U.
1944-09-01 — Trade tested as Cook 'B' and failed; retained/continued as Cook 'C'.
1944-09-04 to 1944-09-13 — Granted 7 days privilege leave plus 48 hours leave with ration allowance.
1944-09-19 — Jeanne Léonard again sought information after receiving no news since 7 July; records noted Murphy was last known in England.
1944-10-06 to 1944-10-10 — Director of Records advised that Murphy was in good health and serving with No. 1 Canadian Ordnance and Mechanical Engineer Reinforcement Unit overseas.
1944-12-15 — Taken on strength of 1 C.A.S.C.R.U. / reinforcement unit after cook training/transfer.
1945-01-24 to 1945-02-17 — Jeanne Léonard again asked about Murphy after several unanswered letters; official replies stated he remained in good health with No. 1 Canadian Ordnance and Mechanical Engineer Reinforcement Unit overseas.
1945-03-05 to 1945-03-14 — Granted 9 days privilege leave plus meal allowance.
1945-05-17 — Signed supplementary declaration concerning possible Pacific Theatre service.
1945-05-22 to 1945-05-28 — Granted 2nd period of privilege leave.
1945-06-05 to 1945-06-14 — Granted 9 days privilege leave and ration allowance.
1945-06-16 — Struck off strength for Canadian Army Overseas repatriation/embarkation processing.
1945-07-16 — Overseas service terminated for repatriation; service records show overseas period ending this date.
1945-07-17 — Returned to Canada/disembarked and entered Canadian repatriation and leave processing.
1945-08-01 — Granted 30 days rehabilitation leave.
1945-08-10 — Reported to District Depot.
1945-09 — Rehabilitation interview recorded Murphy's plan for full-time dairy farming under the Veterans' Land Act, preferably in Huntingdon County, with about 100 acres and ten cows.
1945-09-05 to 1945-09-07 — Transferred through Canadian Army reception/release organizations for medical board and discharge processing.
1945-09-11 — Release medical examination recorded no present complaint and no significant service illness or accident; Medical Board recommended release.
1945-09-12 — Discharged on demobilization as a Private.
1945-10-26 — Army Records returned Murphy's wartime will for his disposal following release from active service.
1946 — Murphy corresponded with authorities about delayed War Service Gratuity payments and stated that he had little or no income while waiting.
1972-06-29 — Died at Queen Mary Veterans Hospital.