Personal Details

Born: 1 July 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second child born to George Purcell, a railway platelayer and his wife Mary Ellen, nee Williams. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at Foxes Lane, Broughall, Whitchurch. On the 1911 Census he and his mother were staying with his grandfather, George Williams, at Iscoyd Green, Iscoyd, Flintshire. On his enlistment in 1915 he gave his address as Foxes Lane, Broughall. This was still his address in 1939. At the time of his death in 1980 his home was 17 Talbot Street, Whitchurch.

Education: He attended Ash School, Shropshire between 23 January 1911 and 2 June 1912

Employment: In 1915 he was an agricultural labourer and in 1939 a builder`s labourer.

Died: In 1980 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Shropshire, aged 81, and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 14 May 1980.

Military Details

Regiment: Training Reserve Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: TR3/87 (previously 19107)

Date of Enlistment: 30 October 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 November 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service