Pte 22221 Robert Purnell

• Age: 20
• From: St Helens, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 11th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: I.A.41

Robert Aeneas Purnell was born in early 1896 in St Helens. He was the seventh child born to Albert and Harriet Purnell (née Parsons). The only marriage found for them was in the September quarter of 1874 in the name of Albert Purlell at West Ham. This fits in well with the birth of their first child Frederick Albert in 1875, however Frederick was born in Bristol. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 57, Lowe Street, St Helens. Robert's father, Albert, is aged 44, born in Bristol in 1857 is a blacksmith, his mother Harriet is also aged 44, born Sheffield(Birmingham on previous census’) and has no occupation listed. They have five children at home at the time of the Census, Amy aged 24, born 1877, with no occupation listed, William aged 23, born 1878 and employed as a bottle maker finisher and Oliver aged 20, born 1881, a clerk and who were born in Bristol, Frank aged 15, born 1886 is a bottle blower and Robert is aged 5 and were born in St Helens. 

In 1905, his mother, Harriet, died aged 48, and Albert remarried in 1906 to Sarah Ellen Bates (formerly Daniels). The marriage was to fail according to the newspaper but the 1911 census still records her in the household.  

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 15 Fidler Street, St Helens. His father, Albert, is aged 54, still employed as a blacksmith and his wife Sarah Ellen is aged 52, born 1859 in St Helens. They have been married for five years. They only have one child now living at home; Robert aged 16, who is employed as a glass labourer for a sheet glass manufacturer.

Details of his father's separation were reported in the St. Helens Reporter on Tuesday 31 January 1911:

BLACKSMITH AND HIS WIFE. 

Both Wanted Separation. 

Albert Purnell, blacksmith, 52, Brook street, summoned by his wife, Sarah, for persistent cruelty, was stated to have ill-used her almost ever since they were married four years ago, at the Union Workhouse. On Saturday, the 21st January he assaulted her, threatened to take her life with a big carving knife, smashed the crockery and then went out of the house and got drunk. She was compelled to leave him and stay all night at her brother’s. The next morning she returned, but on knocking at the door defendant threatened that if she went in the house he would cut her to pieces. Complainant concluded a long story by saying his temper “will get him hung yet.” Purnell alleged that his wife took drink, and questioned her to show that she pawned blankets, the son’s shirt, and other things out of the house, saying that that morning he had got some things out of pawn and had to swear two “affidavits.” He asked the bench not to believe his wife because she was the “lionest” woman ever born of a woman, and said he wanted a separation order. The chairman: “Your wife wants a separation from you, how much do you get?” Defendant: “Thirty shillings a week, and I am always working.” Separation was granted, Purnell to allow his wife five shillings per week.

Robert attested at Liverpool on 07th November 1914, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22221. He gave his age as 19 years and 94 days, and occupation as a clerk, He was described as being five feet seven and half inches tall, weighed 140lbs, chest 37", with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. He gave his father Albert, of 6 Doward Street, Widnes as his next of kin.

Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

His stepmother, Sarah, died aged 53, in 1915. 

Robert landed in France on 07^th November 1915, thus earning all 3 medals.

20th Battalion War Diary – MARICOURT 

9.5.16 - In the trenches. Situation normal. Wiring was carried out between AP1 and AP2, also along new trench to a 15/3, the work on which was proceeded with. Sapping sounds where again heard at number 1 post A 16/1 and reported to R.E. 

Enemy artillery was active. The Centre Group received some 200 shells, mostly 77 m.m. shrapnel and H. E. though some How. shells were fired about Maricourt Avenue at 4 p.m. About 9 30 a.m. about 50 shells H.E. 4.2 were fired into Maricourt Village HIGH STREET Bn. H,Q. and then distributed lasting til 10 30 a.m. 2 patrols were out during dark hours of night. They encountered no enemy patrols and have nothing to report. Casualties O.R. 5 wounded. 

Robert's service record shows that on 09^th May 1916 he was shot in the right thigh and was admitted to 5 Casualty Clearance Station, where he died from his wounds on 11^th May 1916 and was buried the next day at Corbie Military Cemetery, Grave I A 41.

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

King’s Liverpool Regiment.

R. Purnell (22221), Widnes. 

Soldiers Effects, army pay £5 4s 7d, War Gratuity of £6-10s, and medals to father Albert, Items listed:- bag, parade service book, 3 letters, knife, metal wrist watch, piece of shrapnel, 4 bullets, aluminium ring, disc.

Pension Gratuity to his father, Albert and sister, Amy Blackhouse, 6 Hepard Street, Sankey Bridge.

Robert is also commemorated on the St Helens Roll of Honour.

His father, Albert, of 44 Park Road, St Helens died intestate on the 14th February 1929, aged 73. Probate to William Purnell glass worker. Effects £125 7s 10d.

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