Background
John Joseph Murphy was born March 12, 1914 to parents John Murphy and Clarice Eleanor Pratt in Gympie, Queensland in Australia. Nicknamed "Jack". He attended Christian Brothers' College in Maryborough and St Joseph's College in Nudgee.
During 1936, Murphy went to the Territory of New Guinea as a Kiap (patrol officer) based at Salamaua. During 1938 stationed at Wau and Chimlau. In 1939, he attended a course in Sydney University. Bwtween 1940-1941, he administered the Arung Bay Police Post at Kandrian on West New Britain. Later in 1941, Attached to Native Labour Office, Rabaul and the Otibanda Police Post and married Marjorie Ward.
Wartime History
In January 1942 after the Japanese attack on the Territory of New Guinea, Murphy enlisted in the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR) at Wau and became part of the Australian Army with service number NGX310 to serve in the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) as a scout, guide and provided field intelligence and served as a native liaison based on his prewar experience.
His first assignment was with "Kanga Force" around Wau and Bulolo and was mentioned in despatches for "gallant and distinguished services South-West Pacific Area." By 1943, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and nicknamed "Mangrove".
In the middle of 1943, he volunteered for service in the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB) with 'M' Special Unit. His first mission was to operate behind enemy lines on New Britain to monitor Japanese movements and aid downed Allied airmen. During October 1943 Murphy’s party which included Lt. Francis Barrett, NX18434 and Sgt Lambert "Bert" Tobias Willis Carlson, NX143313 and several native troops.
On October 24, 1943 the group was betrayed by locals and ambushed by a Japanese Army patrol near Awul (Ovol) near Cape Dampier on the south coast of New Britain. During the ambush, Barrett and Carlson were killed. Murphy was shot in the wrist and captured near the Aiwi River. The Japanese captured the party's code books, logs of communications, radio crystals, maps and other equipment.
As a Prisoner Of War (POW), Murphy was first interrogated by a Japanese Navy officer Fukute at Gasmata and his statements were written in a report titled "Transcript of interrogation of Captain Murphy captured on New Britain". Later, he was transported aboard a Japanese submarine from Gasmata to Rabaul. During the voyage, the submarine made fourteen crash dives to avoid Allied aircraft and rescued roughly a dozen Japanese sailors who were covered in oil.
After arrival in Rabaul, Murphy was blindfolded and taken to the Rabaul Prisoner Compound (Rabaul POW Camp).
On November 17, 1943 interrogated by the Japanese Army 6th Kempeitai then detained with American POWs. During captivity, the Allied prisoners suffered from neglect, poor diet and had malaria medical experiments conducted on them.
On March 2, 1944 due to the heavy bombing of Rabaul, the Allied Prisoners Of War (POWs) were trucked to Tunnel Hill POW Camp (Cave Camp). In early November 1944 the remaining prisoners were moved to a wooden shed dubbed "Banana Plantation". By September 2, 1945 when Japan officially surrendered, Murphy was one of only seven Allied prisoners that survived captivity at Rabaul.
Postwar
On September 7, 1945 Murphy and other Allied Prisoners Of War (POW) were embarked aboard HMAS Vendetta (D69) at Rabaul and transported to Jacquinot Bay and were admitted into the Australian Army 2/8th General Hospital for treatment. Next, Murphy was transported to Lae where he remained in a field hospital. While recovering, Australian intelligence officers arrived to interrogate him about his time in captivity.
During October 1945 Murphy was court martial on the following counts: "treacherously giving intelligence to the enemy” and “conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline” His trial was presided over by Brigadier W. N. Tinsley and widely covered by the Australian press daily during the month long public trial. During his trial, Lieutenant Commander Yoshihiko Fukute who first interrogated him was called as a witness but his testimony was often vague and contradictory, likely not to o implicate himself. Fukute was later convicted for killing POWs at Rabaul and executed. In his opening statement, Murphy's lawyer requested the case be dismissed and argued the Japanese were aware of Allied operations on New Britain from their own sources and his interrogation were statements by the Japanese and that he remained silent during the interrogation. On February 19, 1946 a month into the trial during the defense case, Judge Advocate, Major V. Ree closed the proceedings and took a 50 minute recess and returned proclaiming Murphy not guilty and honorably acquitted of all charges.
Afterwards, for years Murphy's lawyers attempted to get an apology from the government, gain compensation for his treatment by the military court, and to achieve recognition in the form of military decoration. None of these were granted, possibly because his "Transcript of interrogation" was declassified and due to lingering suspicions about what happened in his interrogation.
On May 1, 1946 discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. Next, was a lecturer in Pidgin English at the School of Pacific Administration. In 1947 returned to New Guinea and became the Assistant District Officer at Higaturu. During 1951-1956 served as acting District Officer, Rabaul. In 1956, became District Commissioner, Daru, Western District. During 1960-1969 served as District Commissioner, Kerema, Gulf District.
In 1969 retired from Papua New Guinea service and retired to Brisbane. He volunteered in the Fryer Library, University of Queensland and aided with the acquisition of the Papua New Guinea collection and provided descriptions for many items and photographs. In 1985, he donated his personal papers including diaries, correspondence, reports and photographs to Fryer Library as the John Joseph Murphy Papers.
Memorials
Murphy died on March 5, 1997 at age 82 in
Brisbane. He is buried at Nudgee Cemetery and Crematorium in Nudgee, QLD at LA-1807.
Relatives
Marjorie Murphy (wife died October 20, 1997)
Dale Murphy (son)
References
WW2 Nominal Roll - John Joseph Murphy, NGX310
New York Times "5 Meet to celebrate surviving a death camp in the Pacific" by Ben A. Franklin August 15, 1982 section 1, page 1
FindAGrave -
John Joseph "Jack" Murphy (grave photo)
National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) "Transcript of interrogation of Captain Murphy captured on New Britain"
Pidgin English Dictionary by J.J. "Mangrove" Murphy (1959)
AWN Wartime Magazine "Traitor or Unsung Patriot: The chance discovery of a Japanese war record led to the intriguing story of “Mangrove” Murphy" by Steven Bullard, manager Australia−Japan Research Project (AJRP) pages 56-58 [PDF]
POW Australians Under Nippon by Tom Bowden (2013 audio CD tracks 13, 14, 15 (Murphy interview)
University of Queensland Collection UQFL99 - John Joseph Murphy Papers
