Standing down event for Sgt Frank
ONE of the most highly regarded members of the Irish Reserve Defence forces has stood down in Wexford after a 31-year career in uniform.
Sergeant Frank Murphy was joined by colleagues and comrades in the RDF at his standing down ceremony which took place in the army barracks in Wexford town.
Sergeant Murphy first joined the FCA [as it was then known] in 1976 and initially attended three training camps. Due to work commitments at the time he was discharged from service in 1980.
However, he always knew he would rejoin and this he did 11 years later, in 1991, when he attended annual camp in Gormanstown and won best recruit.
In 1994 he applied for a place on the potential NCO’s course and finished it in second place to Owen O’Connor who won the Best Potential NCO award.
However, Sergeant Murphy’s upward career spiral was never in doubt and on November 17, 1994, he was promoted to Corporal and within six years, on August 1, 2000, he was promoted to Sergeant.
Serving in the armed forces is somewhat of a family trait, however, and Sergeant Murphy was one of seven members of his family to serve including: his brother, Andy; son, Danny; daughter, Trudie; nephew, Paul Fortune; niece, Sinead Fortune, and brother-in-law, Edmond Davin.
During his time in the RDF Sergeant Murphy completed many courses including: Steyr Instructors course; GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun Infantry) Instructors course; 1st Junior Logs-Admin course; 1st Senior NCO’s course; 60mm mortar; 84mm Anti-tank and a pre-sniper course.
He has also instructed on standard and potential NCO courses as well as training men and recruiting platoons.
During his career Sergeant Murphy also served with three different units.
Well known throughout Wexford and Enniscorthy, where he is originally from, he is married to Catherine and he has two grandchildren, Arthur and Wren.
At the standing down ceremony he recalled many fond memories of his time in the RDF including flying in an Aer Corp training Cessna in 1991.
Marching with the colour party in Enniscorthy for the 2016 centenary parade was also among his personal career highlights and he also took great pride in winning the special section competition in 1992 and 1994.
Sergeant Murphy was also adept at participating in shooting camps and falling plate competitions and he was especially pleased and honoured to be a part of the ministerial Guard of Honour and Quarter Guards on Oulart Hill and in Waterford.
He was on duty for the tall ships visit to Ireland and the numerous colour parties he participated in on Easter Monday commemorations and St Patrick’s Day parades are also among his favourite memories.
An informal tribute night will take place in the New Year to mark the retirement of Sergeant Murphy and two other colleagues whose retirements will take place over the coming weeks.
At that event it’s expected that presentations and tributes will me made to all three of the retirees.