PURT, James Henry


No.408188, Private, James Harry PURT
Aged 22


3rd Canadian Division, Machine Gun Corps
formerly 17th Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), Canadian Infantry
formerly 37th Battalion
Killed in Action on/since 2nd June 1916


Born on 12th November 1893 (1st qtr 1894 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:792) son of George and Martha PURT (née KING)

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at 5 ChapelRoad, Bury St.Edmunds with his father George PURT [44] labourer born Worcestershire; his mother Martha [39]; sisters Nellie [19], Florrie [14] and Louisa [1]; brothers George [17] labourer and Fred [9]. All except his father were born in Bury St.Edmunds.

Aged 13, a farm hand, he sailed in April 1907 from Liverpool to Quebec.

1911 census... At 15 Pelican Court, Eastgate Street were his parents and brother Fred. His mother had lost 5 of her 12 children. Sisters Ellen [27] and Louisa were at 31 Pelican Court, Bury St.Edmunds.


He enlisted in Niagara Camp on 4th June 1915, giving his date of birth as 12th November 1893 ( he seems to have advanced his age), a farmer, next of kin his mother Martha PURT of 3 Church Terrace, Bury St. Edmunds. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, chest 34.5 to 37.5 inches, blue eyes, light brown hair, Church of England.
He sailed from Montreal on SS "Hesperian" on 17th August 1915. Paraded sick at East Sandling, admitted to Moore Barracks Hospital Jan.10th 1916, and Convalescent Hospital at Monks Horton, Kent on 5th Feb.1916 with varicocele. Operated on, discharged to 9th Feb.to Bearwood Park, Wokingham. Discharged to duty at Shorneclife 25th February.
Embarked for BEF 9th April 1916 (Le Havre), taken on strength of 8th Bde Machine Gun Coy, which unit he joined in the field on 21st April. 2nd June 1916, 3rd Canadian Div. Machine Gun Corps (8th Coy) reported missing, presumed dead after action at Sanctuary Wood




James Purt is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres panel 32

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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