PURCELL, John William
| Service Number: | 2162 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dudley, New South Wales, Australia, 3 December 1898 |
| Home Town: | Neath, Cessnock, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Abermain Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Fromelles, France, 19 July 1916, aged 17 years |
| Cemetery: |
Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys Plot I, Row D, Grave No. 7 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2162 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 1916: | Involvement Private, 2162, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Feb 1916: | Embarked Private, 2162, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Melbourne | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2162, 31st Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 31st Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
Help us honour John William Purcell's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"Private John William Purcell (2162, 31st Battalion) was a miner from Maitland, NSW. He was killed in action during the battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916, just four weeks after arriving in France. John is buried in the Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France. His mother wrote that at the time of his death he was 17 years 7 months of age. John’s brother Lieutenant James Adam Purcell was awarded a Military Cross." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Let us remember a Fallen soldier of The Great War memorialised at Sandgate Cemetery.
On the 19th July 1916, Private John William Purcell, referred to as Jack or Johnnie or Johnny, 31st Battalion (Reg No-2162), miner from Neath, New South Wales, was Killed in Action when shot through the neck and chest during the Battle of Fromelles, age 17 years 7 months.
Born at Dudley, New South Wales on the 3rd December 1898 to Adam Young (died 24.9.1935, Charlestown, N.S.W., age 71) of Marks Point, N.S.W., and Margaret Purcell nee Schwebel (died 21.11.1941, Belmont, N.S.W., age 74, mother of 5 sons) of Marks Point, N.S.W., Jack enlisted on the 4th September 1915 at West Maitland, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on the 18th February 1916.
Disembarked Marseilles, France 23.6.1916.
25 days in the field.
Jack is resting at Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France. Plot I Row D Grave 7, laid to rest on the 20th July 1916.
Place of Association - Neath, New South Wales, Australia.
Mr. Purcell’s name has been inscribed on the Abermain Public School Honor Roll, Cessnock War Memorial and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
I have placed poppies at the memorialised Purcell gravesite in remembrance of the service and supreme sacrifice of their son Jack for God, King & Country. METHODIST 3 (UNITING) C. 37.
Older brother Lieut James Adam Purcell (M.C., born 12.5.1896?, Carrington, New South Wales, miner from Neath, New South Wales, enlisted 31.12.1915, 35th Battalion, RTA 16.12.1919, died 13.12.1955, Casino, N.S.W., age 59, laid to rest at Casino General Cemetery, no A.I.F. indication on headstone, not officially commemorated.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Lest We Forget.
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