Michael Murphy VC was born in Tipperary in 1832, a blacksmith and labourer, who joined the 17th Lancers in 1855, a year after they were part of the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea. Whilst on route to join up with the Lancers, he joined the 2nd battalion, Military Train, which later became the Royal Logistic Corps which were diverted to Calcutta in 1857, due to the Indian Mutiny. Murphy ended up being part of the relief attempt at the seige of Lucknow, and it was whilst in action for this that he earned his VC.
On 15 April 1858, Murphy was in position at Nathupur, near Azimgurh, in north-east India. During the fighting, Murphy and Private Samuel Morley were severely wounded while defending an injured comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, adjutant of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry. Hamilton died from his injuries the next evening, but for his actions Murphy was awarded the Victoria Cross, it being awarded by Victoria herself in January 1860.
Murphy subsequently had his VC forfeited, after he was convicted of theft, and sentenced to 9 months hard labour, though the medal went missing after the trial, and was never given in, coming to light severalyears later.
After leaving the Army, Murphy lived in Bellingham, Scotswood, Murton and Heworth, before ending his days in Darlington, working as a labourer in an ironworks, living in a cottage supplied by Major-General Havelock-Allen,VC, son of Major Havelock who died at the seige of Lucknow, and it was the Major-General who helped pay for his memorial headstone which can be seen today.
The final cache can be found at N54 32.ABC W001 33.DEF
A= 2nd number on the headstone
B= 2nd number minus the 1st number
C= Number of letters in the last word of the 2nd line
D= 6th line, 3rd word minus the 4th word
E= 2nd last number on headstone
F= 2nd last line, number of letters in the last word Checksum = 34
***** PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT *****
CACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON ACTUAL MEMORIALS OR WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF SUCH
AT ALL TIMES PLEASE TREAT LOCATIONS OF MEMORIALS WITH RESPECT