(official war graves record PURDY)

Private. 201278

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.

We have had great difficulty tracing this serviceman, but thanks to information provided by a relative, more information has now come to light. John Purdy is commemorated on the Jacksdale Memorial as ' J Pirdue' but we are now aware that the family changed their name to Purdy.

John was the son of Anthony & Mary Hannah Pirdue. He was born in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, but grew up in Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, later moving to 'William Cottages' on Albert Avenue, Jacksdale. He had four brothers, Joseph, William, Anthony & Ernest, 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, had a service number of 3955 and that he was also entitled to the 1914/15 Star, which indicates that he arrived in France some time after November 1914. 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. As yet, we have been unable to ascertain why John Purdy had two service numbers.

Killed in action on Saturday 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme Offensive. Age at death not recorded but a relative has informed us, that he lied about his age when he joined up and was perhaps still in his teens when killed.

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

Sherwood Foresters World War One Casualties - 11,298
Source: R. Capewell 'Discovering Military Badges.'