| Regimental number | 1920 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Corowa, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Lalalty, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19.9 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 157 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Charles Purtell, Berrigan, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil (exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 2 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Fate incorrectly entered on Nominal Roll as 'Killed in action, 23 July 1919'. |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 28 July 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 11 September 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 12 November 1916. Admitted to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 18 November 1916 (gonorrhoea); discharged to Base Depot, 10 January 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 54 days. Taken on strength, 4th Pioneer Bn, in the field, 14 March 1917. On leave to England, 8 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 24 February 1918. Detached to 184th Tunnelling Company, 1 March 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 30 March 1918. Wounded in action, remaining at duty, 10 July 1918. Admitted to Army Rest Camp, 17 July 1918; rejoined unit, 26 July 1918. Admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 8 August 1918 (pyrexia, unknown origin), and transferred to 55th General Hospital, Boulogne; to 7th Convalescent Depot, 21 August 1918; rejoined unit, 14 October 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 1 February 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 19 February 1919. Detached to Australian Corps Workshops, 22 January 1919. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 13 May 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Main', 23 July 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 11 October 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Melbourne, 25 November 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal Also served in World War II: enlisted 5 February 1941, as V43687 Private, 57/60 Bn; re-enlisted 26 June 1941; discharged, 22 February 1944, as V16719/ Sapper, 4 Army Troops Company. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 49 |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, PURTELL Leopold Patrick |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
