Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1940 & 49

ALICE MURPHY (1925 - 1943)


 

Leading Aircraft Woman Alice Murphy was a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, attached to 906 Balloon Squadron in London during the Second World War. She died in November 1943 at St Mary Abbot's Hospital, in Kensington, London, aged 19.

 

She was born on 24th December 1923 in Salford (and registered in the first quarter of 1924). Her father was John Nicholas Murphy (born 1884 in Hulme, Manchester) and her mother was Jane (nee Walker) Murphy (born 1884 in Salford). They were married in 1905 at Sacred Trinity Church, Salford. Alice's siblings, (all born in Salford) were: Lily (born 1905), Mary Emma (born 1908) Alfred (born 1910), Elizabeth (born 1913), John Nicholas jnr (born 1916), Robert (born 1919), William (born 1921) and George W (born 1926). In 1911 the family lived at 33 Quay Street, Salford, where father John was a General Labourer and mother Jane was a Cutter. In 1921 the family lived at 10 Wood Street, Salford, where father John was a Dying and Finishing Caustic Mixer, for H Kershaw & Sons, Dyers, Bleachers and Finishers.

 

On 27th February 1936, Alice's mother Jane, died at Salford Royal Hospital aged 51, and was buried at Weaste Cemetery grave A3/DISS/236 on 4th March. In the 1939 Register the family lived at 29 Wheaters Crescent, Lower Broughton, Salford. Father John was a widower, aged 55 and a General Labourer. Robert was aged 20 and a Motor Driver, William was aged 18 and a Rainproof Seamer, Alice was aged 16 and an Office Girl, and George W was aged 13 and at school. The following year, on 24th November 1940 father John Nicholas Murphy died at Hope Hospital, Salford, aged 57. He was buried at Weaste Cemetery, alongside his wife Jane, on 30th November.

 

It is not known what date Alice joined the Women's Auxilliary Air Force, but she was allocated to the 906 Balloon Squadron, based in London. Her number was 2073467 and she became a Leading Aircraft Woman. Barrage balloons, partly filled with hydrogen, and trailing metal cables, were used to force enemy aircraft to fly higher, reducing their bombing accuracy and bringing them within the range of anti-aircraft guns. The 906 Balloon Squadron was one of nearly 100 squadrons, which was tasked with defending major cities, ports and industrial areas. The squadron was staffed by WAAF personnel who were trained to handle barrage balloons, including operating winches to raise and lower them, adjusting moorings lines, and managing the balloons during air raids.

 

In November 1943, Alice was admitted to St Mary Abbots Hospital in Kensington, London. The circumstances are not known, but on 21st November, she died suddenly, aged 19. Alice's body was brought back to Salford, where she was buried in the family grave, A3/DISS/236 at Weaste Cemetery on 27th November. The Manchester Evening News of 29th November 1943, Acknowlegements section records family thanks to relatives, friends and neighbours, also officers and girls of B Flight and 906 Squadron for their kind messages of sympathy and floral tributes. Also staff and nurses of St. Mary Abbots Hospital, and the WAAF members who attended the funeral.