| Regimental number | 553 |
| Place of birth | Cobram, Victoria |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Locomotive engineer |
| Address | Shepparton, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Next of kin | Father, Phillip Purcell, Shepparton, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 2 years in the Seniot Cadets. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 2nd Battalion, E Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/19/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A23 Suffolk on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Army Ordnance Corps |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, England Wounded in action, Gallipoli, 1 May 1915 (bullet wound, head, slight); rejoined unit, 19 May 1915. Transferred to Military Hospital, Malta, 26 June 1915. Embarked for England on HS 'Galeka', 25 August 1915 (defective teeth); disembarked England, 3 September 1915, and admitted to No. 2 London General Hospital, Chelsea. Promoted Corporal, 1 February 1916; Sergeant, 27 July 1917. Transferred to Ordnance Section, Administrative Headquarters, London, 23 August 1916. Married Dorothy BEAVER, 16 April 1917. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ormonde', 15 November 1919; disembarked Sydney, 29 December 1919; discharged, 4 February 1920. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |