| Regimental number | 2972 |
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Occupation | Blacksmith |
| Address | Kadina, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 35 |
| Height | 5' 8.5" |
| Weight | 168 lbs |
| Next of kin | Friend, Miss A A Daymond, Royal Exchange Hotel, Kadina, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Member for 5 years of Yorketown Rifle Club. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Anzac Provost Corps |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
Form B103 (Movements) missing from Archives file. War service: Western Front Admitted to hospital, France; transferred to England, 18 October 1916, and admitted to 4th Northern General Hospital, 19 October 1916 (fractured left ankle: mild). Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Shropshire', 2 December 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 18 January 1920; discharged, Adelaide, 12 March 1920. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Surname incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as PURSELL. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 58 |
| Place of burial | AIF Cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, PURCELL William |