| Regimental number | 871 |
| Place of birth | Geelong Victoria |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Moorabool Street, Geelong, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Father, Robert Purnell, Moorabool Street, Geelong, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 13th Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/18/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A57 Malakuta on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Gunner |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
| Place of burial | Frenchencourt Communal Cemetery (Row D, Grave No. 2), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 14 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Robert and Helen PURNELL, Hermitage road, Geelong, Victoria |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For gallantry and devotion to duty at RIBEMONT on 16th May, 1918. Gunner PURNELL with two others endeavoured at great personal risk to himself, to put out blazing ammunition exploding charges and primers in a gun pit. The heat and fumes drove him back repeatedly but each time he returned and continued his efforts, at one time rolling clear of the conflagration, shells which had become dangerously hot. finding that it was impossible to put out the fire, he with two others went into the blaze again and manhandled the gun clear of the fire. This man's courage undoubtedly was of great assistance in preventing the destruction of the Howitzer.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: |
| Other details | Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
