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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: Fisherman on Wednesday 25 September 19 16:52 BST (UK)

Title: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Wednesday 25 September 19 16:52 BST (UK)
I have followed Henry Charles back from his death in 1965 in Bath to 1901 when he is a soldier in London.
He consistently gives his year of birth as 1882 and Trowbridge as the place.

I cannot find him in 1891 or his birth registration.
I have however found a birth, Dec. Q 1881 for a Charles Henry Purnell (a possibility) but again not showing in 1891. This leads me to think that they may be one and the same.

I would be gratefull for any help in finding him

Thanks
Fisherman
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: amondg on Wednesday 25 September 19 17:39 BST (UK)
1891 census Melksham
Charles Purnell 50 railway porter
Jane 45
James 19
Arthur 15
Jesse  13
Herbert 11
Cornelius 9
Henry 7  (1884) age is off but correct place of birth.
Frank 4
All born Trowbridge
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Wednesday 25 September 19 17:49 BST (UK)
amondg,

Thanks for that.
I will take a close look at this family but it does look promising.

Thanks again
Fisherman

Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: cath151 on Wednesday 25 September 19 17:54 BST (UK)
There is an army service record for Charles Henry Purnell born 1881 Trowbridge, it mentions mother Jane and lots of brothers some as mentioned in census record above;
He was in the Coldstream  Guards and appears to have married a Laura Louisa Denning Kemp (in 1909 I think)
Cathy
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Wednesday 25 September 19 19:28 BST (UK)
Hi Cathy,
That's him.
I believe he won the MM for rescuing a drowning French girl.
It also confirms what amondg found.
Could you list his brothers please.

Many Thanks
Fisherman
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: cath151 on Thursday 26 September 19 10:37 BST (UK)
Hi again,
Yes it mentions he saved a (it says man ) from drowning in 1915, mentioned in dispatches and awarded the MM
Brothers listed were
Herbert, Jesse, Arthur  all Trowbridge Wiltshire
John, James, Frederick  older
Cornelius , Frank  younger.


Cathy
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Thursday 26 September 19 13:41 BST (UK)
Hi Cathy,

Thanks for the names, it will help me find the parents and hopefully grandparents.

I was always led to believe that he saved a girl who was swept away in a fast current while swimming.
Shows how stories get twisted over the years.
He also got another award (civilian) rescuing people when a bomb hit a shelter in Bath in 1942. Must have been a brave man.

Thanks again for your help
Fisherman
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: cath151 on Thursday 26 September 19 15:13 BST (UK)
Well, very brave, looking again there is a good description of him rescuing three french ladies from the water on 14th Sep 1918 at Briel (Criel?)Plage so your story was true :)
Cathy

The same account of the rescue is in the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser 14th Dec 1918
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Thursday 26 September 19 17:44 BST (UK)
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for finding that.
I'm going to have to get a copy of the report to add to his records.

Regards
Fisherman
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: cath151 on Thursday 26 September 19 18:07 BST (UK)
Happy to help if you pm me :)
Cathy
Title: Re: 1891 lookup for Henry Charles Purnell please
Post by: Fisherman on Thursday 26 September 19 18:38 BST (UK)
Cathy,
Done

Thanks
Fisherman