NIWM Oral History Project - WM0808 Tommy Murray (Clip 1)

Summary

The transcript recounts a humorous anecdote about smuggling butter during a time of strict regulations. The narrator shares a story about their father, a former security man who lost his leg in World War I and used an artificial leg to conceal butter while working on the railways. As he stood near the engine, the heat caused the butter to melt, leading to a comical scene where the narrator's mother had to scrape the melted butter out of the leg. This lighthearted tale highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of individuals during difficult times.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script discusses the prevalence of smuggling, particularly of butter and tea, in Ireland.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal anecdote about their father, who was a security man at Mackies and had lost his leg in WWI.
• 😀 The father used his artificial leg to smuggle butter while working on the railways.
• 😀 He cleverly packed butter in his wooden leg, which was an inventive method of smuggling.
• 😀 The father stood near the engine of a train, causing the heat to melt the butter inside his leg.
• 😀 This humorous story highlights both the risks and ingenuity involved in smuggling activities.
• 😀 The melting butter led to a messy situation where the mother had to scrape it out with knives.
• 😀 The father’s name was Dick Murray, a detail that personalizes the story further.
• 😀 The artificial leg had a removable part that could be used to access the butter.
• 😀 The anecdote serves as a lighthearted reminder of the lengths people would go to during times of scarcity.

Q & A

What was the main item being smuggled in the anecdote?

Butter was the main item being smuggled, along with other goods like tea.

Who was Dick Murray?

Dick Murray was the speaker's father, a security man at Mackies who had lost his leg in World War I.

How did Dick Murray use his artificial leg in the smuggling operation?

He packed his artificial leg with butter to smuggle it through the railways.

What mistake did Dick Murray make while smuggling the butter?

He stood near the engine, which caused the heat to melt the butter packed in his leg.

What humorous situation arose from the melted butter?

The speaker's mother had to scrape the hardened butter out of Dick's wooden leg after it melted.

How did the speaker feel about the story of their father's smuggling attempt?

The speaker found the story amusing and laughed about it, expressing disbelief at the situation.

What does this anecdote suggest about resourcefulness during tough times?

It highlights the ingenuity people displayed in finding ways to obtain essential goods during scarcity.

What was the community's perception of Dick Murray?

He was known by his name, which indicates he had a recognized presence in the community.

What did the foot of Dick's artificial leg symbolize in the story?

The foot of his artificial leg was humorously referred to as a butter dish, showcasing the absurdity of the situation.

What broader historical context does this anecdote reflect?

It reflects the hardships and creative methods people employed to deal with shortages during times of conflict or economic difficulty.