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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 708

(x) A very fine campaign group of three awarded to Bombardier J. Murphy, 29 (Commando) Regiment, Royal Artillery and Special Air Service, who served four years with the SAS and appears to have been one of the Troopers sent to Gibraltar to take out three IRA members on 6 March 1988 - Operation Flavius

General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Northern Ireland, N. Iraq & S. Turkey (24311951 Gnr J Murphy RA); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24311951 Bdr J Murphy RA); U.N. Medal, UNAMIC clasp, first two mounted court-style as worn, pin removed, good very fine (3)

James Murphy was born on 12 January 1958 and enlisted at Liverpool on 11 June 1974. His Testimonial states:

'Bombaridier Murphy is a wiry, athletic individual with an alert manner. He joined the Army in 1974 and on completing basic training he volunteered for commando training. On passing the arduous 8 week Commando Course run by the Royal Marines, he was posted to 29 Commando Regiment RA.

He shows a professional attitutude to all aspects of soldiering, and has an aptitude for communications. He learns quickly and is capable of working without supervision.

Murphy is a highly qualified soldier. He has taken part in exercises in extremes of climate as diverse as the Arctic and Central American Jungle, and has proved that he maintains high standards of stamina and leadership under arduous conditions.

He has completed several Operational tours of duty, including the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Northern Iraq, and more recently he was part of a team of UN Observers in Cambodia.

He has further proved his dedication, determination and strength of character by volunteering for and passing the extremely rigorous selection for service with the Special Air Service Regiment, with whom he completed a tour.

For the last 18 months of his service Murphy was given an appointment normally held by a Sergeant and to his credit carried out all the duties and tasks required of that higher rank.

He is an intelligent, clear spoken NCO with an excellent instructional manner and a great deal of initiative. His oragnisational skills are very good and he commands respect from subordinates and superiors alike.'

The exact dates of his service with the SAS are 10 May 1984-30 April 1988, which included some 8 'UK (Classified)' operations. He went to the Middle East and Belize in this period, at a similar time to 'Andy McNabb', with a number of photographs giving further insight to his work. Murphy gained skills as a diver and in the arctic, whilst being a skilled jungle operator. Given the dates of service, in combination with the noted 'CLASSIFIED OTHERS' within his Certificate of Service from 24 February-7 April 1988, it seems likely he was one of the SAS team sent undercover to Gibraltar during Operation Flavius. That operation ended with three IRA members being shot on 6 March 1988.

Murphy went back to the Royal Artillery and also went to Cambodia and North Iraq on active service. He was discharged on 4 September 1992.

Sold together with an archive comprising:

(i)
Letter confirming award of 'N. Iraq & S. Turkey' clasp.

(ii)
Two identity tags.

(iii)
Copied Certificate of Service.

(iv)
Cambodian Commerical Bank, Passbook in the name of 'James Murphy, UNTAC HQ PNP UNMONAVY'.

(v)
United States Marine Corps Parachute Wings, cloth and metal Badges.

(vi)
A previously unpublished archive of origina photographs of Murphy and his comrades in their service - worthy of further research and study. Majority annotated to the reverse giving location and date.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,500

Starting price
£1200

Sale 21001 Notices
Murphy served with 'B' Squadron, SAS and it is understood he was on operations in Northern Ireland rather than in Gibraltar at the time of Operation Flavius.