Purvis George Bell Capt

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Surname: Purvis;

Forename(s): George Bell;

Initials: GB;

Rank: Capt;

Born in: Bridlington, Yorks;

Previous Battalion: 5 of;

Previous Regiment: Yorks Regt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 56 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 150 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 56 Coy;

How killed: KIA;

Where: Belgium;

When killed: 08-Jun-1917;

Other Data: Roll of Honour, Vol II, Sect 2, p 223 - Portrait: 56 MG Coy, 19 Div, att Y&L Regt. Younger son of Major John Bowlt Purvis, of the Promenade, Brislington by his wife Charlotte Annie, d. of James Parnell. Born Bridlington, Yorks 1/9/1892, educ Bridlington Grammar Sch, member of OTC. Gazetted 2Lt Yorks Regt 8/6/14, Lt 18/5/15, Capt 15/9/16. Served BEF F&F from April 1915 as MG Officer; took part 2nd battle of Ypres; transf to 19 Div Oct 1916; under orders to return UK as Instructor MG School when KIA while reconnoitring for new gun positions, Battle of Messines 8/6/17. Buried Klein Vierstraat, Ypres. His Brig Gen wrote.." his death means a real loss, not only to the Company he commanded so well, but also to the whole Brigade. It will, I know, be a relief to you to know how highly we esteemed and admired your son. His high moral charcater and strength of will made one admire and respect him as a man, and his absolute fearlessness and thoughfulness for the well-being of his Officers and men made him a soldier to be looked up to, respected and loved. I personally would have followed him anywhere and I know that this was the feeling of the other Officers and men of the Company". He was MID by F.M. Sir Douglas Hiaig (LG 25/5/17) for gallant and dist. Service in the field. Unmarried.
War Diary confirms death in action;

Other Notes: PURVIS, Captain, GEORGE BELL, Mentioned in Despatches, 5th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment attd 56th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). Killed in action at Oosttaverne 8th June 1917. Age 24. Son of John Bowlt Purvis, and Charlotte Annie Purvis, of 6, Princess Terrace, Bridlington, Yorks. II. C. 5. Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery - Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
(NB: MID not traced in awards to MGC - Disk Ed.);

END OF RECORD.

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