223978 Pte. Martin Joseph Purcell Australian Imperial Force 33rd Btn. from:Walcha, New South Wales Martin Joseph Purcell was born on 9th June 1881, the son of Martin and Catherine Purcell of Orundumby, Walcha, New South Wales. He was working as a labourer in Kootingal when he enlisted on 13th March 1916. He left Sydney on the Anchises and after a few months of training in England was injured on 26th October 1916. Martin then transferred to France on 21st of November 1916 landing at Rouelles.
On 23rd July 1916 he was shot in the head and rejoined his unit until he was granted leave. While in England he became ill with rheumatism and after rest was sent back to battle. On 19th August 1918 he suffered severe gas burns to both buttocks and his left side and was left with a bad cough. After spending time in Sutton Veny and Hurdcott he was finally shipped home on 20th December 1918, discharged as medically unfit (could not see well in the dark).
Martin Joseph Purcell died in Walcha on 27th January 1959. He was not married and had no children.
He was one of eight children - seven boys and one girl. All of his brothers enlisted. Three saw war - one made the supreme sacrifice, one returned and three suffered health irregularities.
His cousin Frederick Arthur Roper also enlisted into 33rd Battalion 9th Brigade D Company as well as my great grandfather James Hickey 4/33rd from Tenterfield.
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