Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

GENERAL REGRET AND TRIBUTES OF RESPECT

The Archdiocese of Adelaide suffered another heavy loss on Sunday last, when the Very Rev. J. D. Murphy, P.F., Glenelg, passed away at the North Adelaide Private Hospital. He had been in failing health for the past couple of years, and the fact that there was no hope of recovery was generally known to his parishioners and friends. Nevertheless, the news of his death came as a shock to the many friends he had made, during the past thirty-five years in all parts of the State. His loss is deeply mourned by the Archbishop and his fellow Priests, but it was especially felt by his old parishioners of Yorketown,as well as by his more recent parishioners in Mount Gamble and Glenelg.

The esteem and affection in which Father Murphy is held was shown by the very large attendance of Priests and people at the Requiem Mass and funeral on Tuesday morning. Among them was the Rev. E. O'S. Goidanich, of Port Fairy, Victoria, who was a fellow Chaplain with Father Murphy on Gallipoli, and was, like him wounded by the explosion of a shell. Two other Chaplains at the front, the Rev Father Francis Clune, C.P., and Rev. E. Robertson, were also among the large choir of Priests who chanted his Requiem. The parishioners of Glenelg filled the fine Church of Our Lady of Victories, which he built, and his old parishioners of Yorketown were also well represented. The Glenelg Council was represented by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. James Sutherland), and Ald. P. Burns. Messrs. J, F. Murphy, P.F, Kiley, and Mr. A. Korff, and members of the Church Committee were also present. Mr. J. S. Malone (vicepresident) represented the Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League at the burial, where the Hon. W, J.Denny, MP., and Canon Hleeby were also present. Representatives of all Convents attended, in addition to laymen in. all walks of life.

FATHER MURPHY'S CAREER.

... The late Father John Drunan Murphy was born in Ireland on June 21,1868, and was therefore in his 61st year at the time of his death. He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Thurles, where he was ordained to the Priesthood on January 24,1894. He arrived in Adelaide on December 26, 1894, and served as Assistant Priest in Adelaide and Kadina for some years. He was appointed to the charge of the parish of Yorketown in July, 1899. He labored there for over twenty years, and won the esteem not only of his parishioners, but of all the residents of the Peninsula.

It was while at Yorketown that Father Murphy volunteered to serve with the A.I.F. The first Chaplain sent to the front was the late Rev. D. McGrath, of Naracoorte, who had to return on account of severe shell shock, from which he never fully recovered. Father Murphy, enlisted on March 17, 1915, and was sent toEnoggera Camp, Queensland, and subsequently to Liverpool Camp, New South Wales. Later he returned to
Brisbane, and sailed from that port. He filled the place of Father McGrath on Gallipoli, and showed equal heroism, going into danger fearlessly to bring consolation to the soldiers. It was while engaged on this duty that he was severely wounded and he never fully recovered from the injuries, sustained. Sent to England to recuperate, he spent some time at the camps there, and then went to France. Re returned to Australia in 1918, holding the rank of Chaplain Major. On his arrival at Yorketown on January 12, 1918, he was welcomed home by his parishioners, and he received a public welcome, in which all the citizens joined, at the Yorketown Town Hall on January 16.

On February 28, 1922, Father Murphy was transferred to Mount Gambier, where he also gained the esteemed admiration the Whole community, On January 31, 1921 he succeeded the late Mgr. O'Neal, V.G., at Glenelg. During the four years there he suffered intermittently from serious illness, and had to take several vacations and go into hospital. Early last year he made a voyage to Colombo in company with Right Rev. Mgr.Hurley, V.G., and Rev. R. F. Denny (who was en route to Ireland) for the benefit of his health. Unfortunately there was no decided improvement, and Father Murphy has been in and out of hospital since, passing away on Sunday last.

Despite the handicap of illness, Father Murphy labored zealously and successfully at Glenelg. His chief work there has been the erection of
the Church of Our Lady of Victories, which will be his enduring monument.

He leaves, a brother, Mr. D. Murphy, of Torrensville, and family. May his soul rest in peace.

Southern Cross Friday 08 February 1929 page 9