| Regimental number | 589 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 26 Palermo Street, South Yarra, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Father, Michael Purcell, 26 Palermo Street, South Yarra, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Machine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 9 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 24/15/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 23rd August, 1918 during the attack on ST. MARTIN'S WOOD near CHUIGNES, Private PURCELL acted as a runner from his Section Commander to Company Headquarters. Three times he went through a very heavy barrage carrying important despatches. By his magnificent courage and contempt of danger he proved invaluable as a means of keeping touch between Section and Company Headquarters.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |