Arthur Kershaw Purdy
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Kershaw Purdy was born in 1894 he was the only son of Francis a police superintendent and Emma Purdy née Watkinson of 1 Claremont Terrace Francis Street and later of 60 Forest Road.Francis was born in 1869 at Langley Mill, Derbyshire, Emma Watkinson was born in 1867 at Carlton, they were married on 18th December 1890 at Parliament Street Chapel, Nottingham, they had a further child Mabel Priscilla Purdy born 1893.In 1911 the family were living at 1 Claremont Terrace, Francis Street, Nottingham, Francis 42 yrs is a police superintendent, he is living with his wife Emma 45 yrs and their children, Mabel Priscilla 18 yrs a telegraphist with the post office and Arthur Kershaw 17 yrs a bank clerk
Second Lieutenant Arthur Kershaw Purdy, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on 20th November 1917. He is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich. (grave ref IV.H.18).At 6.20am on the 20th November 1917 the 1st Battalion along with the 9th Suffolks formed the first wave of the 71st Brigade's assault on the German front line (Plush Trench), second line (Unseen Trench) and third line (Unseen Support Trench) which formed the outposts of the Hindenburg Line. The attack was supported by tanks which were invaluable in breaching the enemy wire and allowed the Brigade to achieve all its objectives by midday. The attack resulted in the capture of 37 prisoners, 3 heavy machine guns, one heavy trench mortar and two aerial dart machines. The captured trenches were occupied for two days before the brigade was moved forward to a position between the St Quentin Canal and Noyelles-Marcoing Road. The Battalion remained in these positions until it was relieved on the 12th December by the 12th Wiltshires having spent nearly three weeks in continuous contact with the enemy. It was during this action that Arthur Purdy was probably killed.
War obituary, All Saints Church News, January 1918: 'Arthur [Kershaw] Purdy, 1 Claremont Terrace, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, died of wounds November 27th (sic) 1917, aged 23. Only son of Mr and Mrs Purdy. He only recently returned to the Front on receiving his commission. He was an enthusiastic worker in non-conformist circles.'
