8 |
CONGO VET'S UNIQUE MEMORIAL BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS SGT MICK BURKE & NOEL MURPHY
from Clonmel, who passed away 14 years ago at the age of 63, and his fellow Irish soldiers who served in the Congo in the 1960s. "Especially," Noel says "the ones that never came home." The artwork, which was done by Sean Egan from Wexford, incorporates a picture on the mudguard of
farmer's ditch in Co. Donegal. From the chassis number Noel was able to find out that it was a 1961 125cc Lambretta, Series 2, scooter. With this information he was also able to re-register the bike as 61 TS 22. Noel's restoration of the bike was dedicated to the memory of his father, Pte Edward 'Chappy' Murphy
T
his is a touching story of a man who fully restored a 1960 Lambretta and then dedicated it to the memory of his father and others who served in the Congo in the 1960s. In 2009, Noel Murphy, from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, came across a total wreck of a bike in a
Noel's mother and father before his dad flew out to the Congo. The side panel's have a picture of a UN jeep in the Congo, on one side, and a map of the Congo on the other. The buttons on the bike's saddle come from Noel's father's old uniform. The restoration took Noel six months and cost €6,000. He is now the proud
owner of a priceless piece of history, and while restoring it is a great achievement in its own right it is the artwork and dedication to his father and his Congo com- rades that make it truly remarkable. Noel also wishes to express his gratitude to Sean Egan and also to Derek Duggan
from Waterford without whom he says the makeover wouldn't have been possible. Noel, like many people in these
difficult economic times, sadly lost his job and he is now looking for sponsorship to continue to paint more images on the classic scooter. These include an image of the Niemba Ambush and pos- sibly the memorial to the fallen that was erected in the Congo. You can help Noel complete his dream by volunteering your skills or services. Noel can be contacted at noelmurphy60@yahoo.co.uk.
An Cosantóir July/August 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie
