War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 18 February 1916; disembarked Suez, 23 March 1916.

Taken on strength of 31st Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 1 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Killed in action, 19 July 1916.

Buried New Cemetery, Sailly-sur-La-Lys by Reverend W. Meredith Holliday, 20 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2220110, 527 Pte A.H. MARSHMAN, B Company, 31st Bn (patient, 1st Southern General Hospital, Bournbrook, Birmingham, England), 25 July 1916: 'On 19th July 1916 at Fleurbaix, nr. Armentieres, just previous to the attack by the Australians, J.W. Purcell was severely wounded in the head and neck. I tried to render first aid but was immediately afterwards badly wounded in my left arm. I managed to get out of the trench which was in the shallow, and reached the first Field Station. I told them that Purcell was left, but the attack was made almost at once and I am afraid Purcell was left in the trench. He appeared to be in a terrible condition and I fear he may have been left behind to die.'

Second statement, 2125 Pte C. CLARKE, D Company, 31st Bn (patient, 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, England), 18 December 1916: 'Informant states that on the 19th July at Fruemelles (sic) Fleurbaix Purcell was shot through the neck privious (sic) to an advance and was buried outside at Sailly. I was informed of this by Purcell's friend [2149]Freddie Matchett who showed me the grave with the man's name upon it.'