Godfrey Liddell PURVES
Godfrey Purves was born on 1 November 1881 in Melbourne, Victoria. His parents were James Liddell and Eliza Emma (née Brodribb) Purves. He attended Scotch in 1898.
Godfrey was a station overseer when he enlisted on 7 January 1915 at Broadmeadows, Victoria. He served in the 8th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Lance Corporal. His Regimental Number was 482.
Godfrey died on 7 August 1915 at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. He was 33 years of age.
Service record
Godfrey Purves had already served with the Queensland Imperial Bushmen in the Boer War in South Africa. He embarked for Gallipoli on 16 May 1915. His regiment, the 8th Light Horse, provided the first two waves of the disastrous charge at the Nek on 7 August, immortalised in the film ‘Gallipoli’.
The 1919 The Scotch Collegian put it that he ‘was killed in the memorable charge at Walker’s Ridge on August 7th, 1915.’ Other Scotch Collegians killed in the same regiment on that day were Eliot Wilson and Colin Cameron. Initially posted ‘missing’ on 7 August 1915, by 15 August Godfrey was classified ‘killed’.
Godfrey Purves has no known grave but is commemorated at Lone Pine Memorial.
Sources:
- Australian War Memorial – Roll of Honour
- Mishura Scotch Database
- National Archives of Australia – B2455, PURVES GODFREY
- Scotch Collegian 1919
- The AIF Project - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=247482
