07 June 2006

National Silver Cross Mother named for 2006

Mrs. Alice Murphy of Conception Harbour, Newfoundland, has been selected by The Royal Canadian Legion as the 2006 Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. 

She is the mother of the late army Corporal Jamie Brendan Murphy. Corporal Murphy was killed in Afghanistan at approximately 8:25 a.m. Afghanistan time on 27 January, 2004 (10:55 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 26 January, 2004).

An explosion, believed to have been carried out by a suicide bomber, occurred near two Iltis vehicles on patrol in the western district of Kabul. At least one civilian was also killed in the attack and three other military personnel in the jeeps were injured. Corporal Murphy was serving with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group as part of Operation ATHENA, Canada's military commitment to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led mission in Kabul.

Mrs. Murphy will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial during the annual 11 November National Remembrance Day Ceremony on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost sons or daughters in the military or Merchant Navy services of the nation. The ceremony is organized and conducted by the Legion on behalf of the Government of Canada and in memory of all Canadians who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of freedom and peace.  She will be accompanied by her daughters, Rosemary and Norma.

Mrs. Murphy is also expected to attend a special national ceremony in Ottawa on 1 July, 2006, marking the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel during World War 1.

Biographies of Mrs. Murphy and her son Jamie are attached. Official photo of Mrs. Murphy is available for your use at www.legion.ca/_gfx/SCM/SilverCross2006.jpg.

Biographies
2006 Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother
Mrs. Alice Murphy

The National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother for 2006 is Mrs. Alice Murphy of Conception Harbour, Newfoundland. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November. As the Silver Cross Mother she will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military and Merchant Navy services of the nation.  It is expected that she will be invited to participate in other events during the year as well.

Mrs. Murphy is the mother of the late Corporal Jamie Brendan Murphy who died in Afghanistan at approximately 8:25 a.m. local time on 27 January, 2004 (10:55 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 26 January, 2004) as a result of a suicide bombing.
 
Mrs. Murphy was born Alice Skeffington in Amherst Cove, Newfoundland, and was a teacher in Newfoundland until she married Norman Murphy. She became a resident of Conception Harbour and a stay-at-home mother.  She has three other children, John, Rosemary and Norma. Corporal Murphy was the youngest of the four.

Corporal Jamie Brendan Murphy

Corporal Jamie Brendan Murphy was born in 1977 and attended St. Anne’s School in Conception Harbour and Roncalli Central High School in Avondale on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula.  In March 1997 he joined the Canadian Forces and served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.  Having served in Kosovo with his regiment he was on duty with the regiment’s 3rd Battalion Battle Group in Afghanistan when he was killed.

An explosion, believed to have been carried out by a suicide bomber, occurred near two Iltis vehicles on patrol in the western district of Kabul. At least one civilian was also killed in the attack and three other military personnel in the jeeps were injured. Corporal Murphy was serving as part of Operation ATHENA, Canada's military commitment to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led mission in Kabul.

Corporal Murphy was an avid sportsman who golfed as well as playing baseball and hockey. Aside from being a qualified infanteer he had also qualified as a driver, signaller, mortar man and machine gunner.  Aside from his parents and siblings he left to mourn his common law spouse of three years, Candace McCauley, who also received the Memorial (Silver) Cross.

Download a high res image of Mrs. Murphy

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, at (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760.

BACK TO INDEX OF HEADLINES