PURCELL, Martin Joseph
| Service Number: | 2126 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 33rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Spring Creek, New South Wales, Australia, 9 June 1881 |
| Home Town: | Walcha, Walcha, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, 27 January 1959, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Walcha Catholic Cemetery, New South Wales Memorial ID - 61710450 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2126, 33rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2126, 33rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Sydney | |
| 23 Jul 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2126, 33rd Infantry Battalion, Gunshot wound to head | |
| 18 Aug 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2126, 33rd Infantry Battalion, Gassed for second time Admitted to MH Sutton Veny | |
| 4 May 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2126, 33rd Infantry Battalion, Discharged medically unfit gas poisoning Cannot see well in dark |
Martin Joseph Purcell - Walcha Boy
All the Purcell brothers enlisted to honour our great country. Martin Joseph Purcell Sn 2126 enlisted 13 Mar 1916. He is the 3rd child to Martin & Catherine Purcell of Orandumby, Walcha. He was 34 years & 8 months and working in Kootingal as a labourer when he joined the 2nd Rein of the 33rd Battalion the same Battalion as his cousin Frederick Arthur Roper who had enlisted on the 24 Jan 1916 aged 19 years and 2 months.
His description was 5ft 9', 11st 6lb, fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair & RC. Sadly no photos have come to light as yet.
Shipped out of Sydney on "Anchises" and after a few months of training in England was injured 26 Oct 1916. Transferred to France on 21 Nov 1916 landing Rouelles.
23 July 1916 he was shot in head, rejoined unit until he was granted leave. While in England he became ill with Rheumatism and after rest was sent back to battle and on 19 Aug 1918 he would suffer severe gas burns to both buttocks & left side and left with a bad cough. After spending time in Sutton Veny and Hurdcott he was finally shipped home on 20 Dec 1918 discharged as medically unfit (cannot see well in dark)!!!
Martin Joseph Purcell died in Walcha 27 Jan 1959 not married and no children.
He was one of 8 children 7 boys & 1 girl, all of his brothers enlisted 3 saw war - 1 made the supreme sacrifice, 1 returned 3 were knocked back due to health irregularities.
His cousin Frederick Arthur Roper also enlisted into 33rd Battalion 9th Brigade D Company as well as my great grandfather James Hickey 4/33rd from Tenterfield.
Submitted 14 April 2015 by Karen Payne
Biography contributed by Karen Payne
Martin was born to Martin & Catherine Purcell. Martin mother Catherine died when Martin was aged 10.
At the age of 32 & 8 months he enlisted in Armidale and trained at Rutherford.
All 7 brothers enlisted in WW1 2 not seeing action. Thomas Purcell 26th Battalion was Killed.
Martin returned home to Walcha and was a labourer
Stayed a bachelor
He eventually relocated to Tamworth until his death in 1959 aged 77.
I can't imagine how his sister Alice (my great grandmother) and his father Martin dealt with all the boys in the family enlisting