The AIF Project

Sidney William PURSSELL

Regimental number3439
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPainter
AddressStanmore, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation30
Next of kinWife, Mrs L J Purssell, Stanmore Road, Stanmore, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date25 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name13th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/30/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 13 October 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll13th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 16 March 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On night 4th/5th February, 1917, during the attack on STORMY TRENCH, east of GUEUDECOURT, Lance Corporal PURSSELL distinguished himself by the calm and efficient way in which he took charge of the men in his vicinity and pushed on with the consolidation of the newly won position. When the Platoon Commander and all his senior N.C.O.s became casualties he took charge of the platoon and commended it with great skill. Later he was placed in charge of ration parties carrying through the enemy barrage and over an open space swept by hostile machine gun fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

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