(official war graves record PURDY)

Private. 201278  (Previously 3955)

1^st/5^th Bn. Sherwood Foresters. (Notts and Derby) Regt.

Died Saturday 1^st. July 1916

Grave ref. Pier and Face 10 C 10 D 11 A. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

John Purdy is commemorated on the Jacksdale Memorial as ' J Pirdue' but  his medal index card, the CWGC and 'Soldiers Died' all list him as Purdy.

John was the son of Anthony Purdy. He was born in Pontypridd, Glamorgan in about 1899, but grew up at New Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, later moving to 'William Cottages', Albert Avenue, Jacksdale. He had brothers, James, John, William and Anthony and two sisters, Emma & Mary Hannah. His brother Anthony was well known as a waiter at 'The Portland Arms Hotel in Jacksdale' and is listed on the Jacksdale Memorial as having served during World War One (no further service details available at this stage).

A letter from the Sherwood Foresters Record Office at Lichfield, dated 4th March 1921, states that Private J Purdy, previously had a service number of 3955 and that he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star as he served in France from October 1915. A further letter, from the Sherwood Foresters, dated 6th May 1922 gives his service number as 201278 and states that he was entitled to the British War Medal and The Victory Medal. 

Killed in action on Saturday 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme Offensive. Age at death approximately 27 years.

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, which bears the names of 72, 000 officers and men who have no known grave.