Frederick William Purnell

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 06/12/2017 - 14:14

First Name:

Frederick

Middle Name:

William

Last Name:

Purnell

Date of Birth:

Saturday, January 21, 1899

Mother's Name:

Margaret Purnell nee Duggan

Father's Name:

Albert Purnell

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, August 3, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

4th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, August 8, 1951

Place of Death:

Heidlberg Hospital, Victoria

Details:

Frederick William Purnell (Service No 3889) was born in Hay, N.S.W.

At enlistment he claimed to be 18 years old, single, worked as a law clerk and had served with the Senior Cadets. In fact, Frederick was only 16 years old at the time.

Frederick embarked on HMAT A7 Medic, with the 4th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement, on 30th December 1915. He disembarked in Egypt on 16th February 1916, then went to France on 3rd April 1916 and joined the battalion in the field, on 17th May 1916.

Frederick was admitted to hospital soon after and diagnosed with rheumatic fever. He was deemed unfit for active service and invalided to Australia in September 1916. Frederick was discharged medically unfit with a pension on 9th November 1916.

Frederick died in Victoria in 1951 and is commemorated for his service on the Wollongong Methodist Church Roll of Honour.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PURNELL FREDERICK WILLIAM