| Regimental number | 5889 |
| Place of birth | Hay New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Buttermaker |
| Address | Thurgoona Street, Albury, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Next of kin | Father, A Purnell, Thurgoona Street, Albury, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | 9 September 1915 |
| Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
| Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 1, Reinforcement 12 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/29/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 9 November 1915 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Gunner |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Motor Transport Company |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 27 May 1919 |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 3889 Pte Frederick William PURNELL, 4th Bn, returned to Australia, 31 August 1916. |
