Thomas Murphy (VC)

Thomas Murphy VC, also known in later life as Thomas Cosgrove, was an Irish-born soldier of the British Army and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry available to British and Commonwealth forces. He was born in Dublin, although his exact year of birth remains uncertain, with evidence pointing to either circa 1832 or circa 1839.

Murphy enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot in April 1859 and served as a private. His regiment later served in Mauritius and British Burmah. On 7 May 1867, while stationed in the Andaman Islands, Murphy took part in the rescue of stranded comrades during the Little Andaman Island incident. Alongside Assistant Surgeon Campbell Millis Douglas and Privates James Cooper, David Bell, and William Griffiths, he helped man a boat through dangerous surf to rescue men who were in severe danger. For this act of bravery, Murphy was awarded the Victoria Cross. The award was announced in the London Gazette on 17 December 1867, and he was invested with the medal at Rangoon on 16 April 1868.

Murphy was discharged from the Army at Preston, Lancashire, on 17 November 1869 after about ten years of service. No verified evidence has been found that he received any other medals or decorations beyond the Victoria Cross.

After leaving the Army, Murphy emigrated to the United States and settled in Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where he lived under the name Thomas Cosgrove. He worked as a coal miner and resided in Pittston for many years. He married Catherine Lynch Dougherty, a widow, in Pittston in 1886.

Thomas Murphy, or Thomas Cosgrove, died at his home in Pittston on 22 March 1900. He was buried in St John the Evangelist Cemetery in Pittston, though the exact location of his grave is unknown. His Victoria Cross is not currently recorded as being held in a public collection.