Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Stephen Purt, a concrete trade worker, born on the 9th December 1870 in Horseway, Cambridgeshire and baptised on the 22nd September 1872 in the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire (son of George Purt, 1838-1914 and Mary Scott, 1838-1914) and his wife Lizzie (Elizabeth) Purt (nee Goadby, married on the 4th July 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Newtown Linford), born on the 5th July 1872 in Newtown Linford, Leicestershire and baptised on the 10th December 1872 in All Saint’s Church, Newtown Linford (daughter of William Goadby, 1835-1880 and Sarah Annie Smith, 1837-1901). George Harry was born in in the April quarter of 1896 in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire and baptised on the 28th November 1897 in St. Michael’s Church, Sutton Bonington, his siblings were, Frederick William, born on the 24th November 1893 in Newtown Linford and baptised on the 24th December 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Newtown Linford, twins, Charles Stephen, born in the October quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 2nd December 1894 in St. Michael’s Church, Sutton Bonington and Pollie Elizabeth G., baptised as Mary E. G., on the 12th November 1894 in St. Michael’s Church, Sutton Bonington and Elsie May, born in the October quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 28th November 1897 in St. Michael’s Church, Sutton Bonington, the latter three siblings were all born in Sutton Bonington and Sarah Annie, born on the 12th June 1899 in Ratby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 16th July 1899 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, in March 1901 the family home was at Ratby Road, Groby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at Groby, residing there was his father, a concrete trade worker, his mother and siblings, William, a boot trade heel builder, Charles, a boot trade heel builder, Mary, a boot trade stock room worker, Elsie, Annie, Rose, born in the January quarter of 1902 and baptised on the 2nd February 1902 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, Violet, born on the 6th March 1909 and baptised on the 10th October 1909 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby and Ellen, born in the July quarter of 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Groby, meanwhile George was employed as a shoe trade heel builder and was residing at Newtown Linford in the family home of Frederick Henry Foulds, a stone quarry worker, born 1871 in London and his maternal aunt, Polly Foulds (nee Goadby), born in the January quarter of 1876 in Newtown Linford and baptised on the 4th September 1876 in All Saint’s Church, Newtown Linford and their son Frederick James William, born on the 21st February 1909 in Newtown Linford and baptised on the 28th March 1909 in All Saint’s Church, Newtown Linford.
George enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 12th August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 10047. He gave his place of birth as Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 151 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 12th August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 8½ inches in height, weighed 114 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his physical development was described as fair, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 12th August 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 10047.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 151 days, height 5-feet 8½ inches weight 114 lbs, chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole on neck. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 12th August 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Stephen Purt, mother Elizabeth Purt, brother William Purt (o), -?- Cottages, Chapel End, Whitwick.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 12/8/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/8/14.
Posted. To 6th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Incurred a Regimental Entry for “Misconduct.” Forfeits 6 days pay by R.W. for “Absence.” 8/7/15.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 48th Field Ambulance, trench foot. In the Field. 5/12/15.
Transferred. To 37th Infantry Brigade Convalescent Camp, Etaples. 28/12/15.
Admitted. To 24th General Hospital, N.Y.D. Etaples. 21/1/16.
Diagnosed. Influenza and otitis media. Etaples. 23/1/16.
Discharged. From 24th General Hospital 3/2/16.
Joined. 37th Infantry Brigade Depot. Etaples. 3/2/16.
Rejoined. 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 19/2/16.
Wounded in action, gunshot wound to neck. In the Field. 14-16/7/16.
Admitted. To 6th General Hospital, Rouen. 15/7/16.
Discharged. From 6th General Hospital, Rouen. 25/7/16.
Joined. 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 25/7/16.
Joined. 9th Entrenching Battalion. In the Field. 1/8/16.
Granted. Proficiency Pay Class I. 12/8/16.
Re-joined. 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 26/8/16.
Wounded in action, gunshot wound right leg. In the Field.26/9/16.
Admitted. To 38th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 26/9/16.
Re-joined. 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt from Infantry Brigade Depot. In the Field. 13/10/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 22/3/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/8/14 – 28/7/15. 351 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 22/3/18. 2 years 237 days.
Total Service. 3 years 223 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 19th December 1918, George’s maternal aunt, Polly Foulds, of Newtown Linford, near Leicester was awarded a Dependant’s Gratuity of thirty-six pounds and eight shillings.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - EPEHY. 6.30am. Intense bombardment of FRONT LINE for over an hour, which extended to CLOSE SUPPORT LINE. 8.30am. Troubled by snipers in rear of YELLOW LINE. During the night 21st/22nd two Field Companies of ROYAL ENGINEERS came up and were under our orders. One Company from the Reserve Brigade and three Vickers guns were also to have come under our orders, but failed to do so on account of being unable to get through hostile barrage. 8.40am. About this time Lieutenant Colonel W. N. STEWART D.S.O. was killed, being shot through the head by a sniper, death being instantaneous. Command of the Battalion being taken by Major J. C. BURDETT. 8.50am. Enemy reported to be massing in front of YELLOW LINE, patrols being within 100 yards of our line. 9.00am. Enemy attempted to bomb down COMMUNICATION TRENCH leading to our FRONT LINE, but were knocked out by a Lewis gun. 9.30am. Enemy worked round both flanks and we were surrounded. 11.00am. A rear-guard action was fought to the BROWN LINE forming a defensive flank on the EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD, gaining touch with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. Enemy now advancing in extended order, wave after wave towards the BROWN LINE. Two tanks checked the enemy advance temporarily. 12.30pm. Enemy in EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD. Orders to withdraw to AERODROME-LONGAVESNES, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT withdrawing north of EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD through BROWN LINE. Arrived LONGAVESNES about 3.00pm. We came under heavy artillery and intense machine gun fire from CAPRON COPSE and SAULCOURT during withdrawal. LONGAVESNES being shelled, orders were received to withdraw to AIZECOURT-LE-HAUT, where deficiencies of small arms ammunition etc. were made up.
On Monday July 31st, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – ROLL OF HONOUR. – The relations at Newtown Linford of Private George Purt, Leicester’s, have received intimation that he is wounded and in hospital in France, having been shot through the arm and side. Private John Cluer, Leicester’s, has been discharged as disabled, having also been shot through the arm, while Privates Harry Gretton and Herbert Harrison, all of Newtown, were killed early in the war.
[recognitum XXIV-VI-MMXXIII]