Finding out more info about the Purdy Brothers from Spennymore Durham in WW1

[jim1]

In chronological order
Wilfred d. 11/4/1918 - 8th. Btn. Royal Scots - Bois de Pecaut France.
William d. 31/5/1918 - 255th. Tunnelling Coy. - between Riningelst Belgium & French border.
Tom d. 4/6/1918 - B Bty. 153 Bde. R.F.A. - Ypres Salient N. of the town.
The 3 that survived:
John - 519 Field Coy. R.E. & R.E. Signals France & Egypt.
Joseph - R.F.A. & R.G.A. India.
Arthur - possibly 5th. Btn. Lancs. Fusiliers & Labour Corps.

[softly softly]

Arthur's death plus marriage of daughter.

Marriages Jun 1946 

Munro    Donald    Purdy    Pontypridd    11a   1137    
Purdy    Mary    Munro    Pontypridd    11a   1137

[jim1]

I think it's time the poster came back to let us know if this is
what they're looking for.

[bazlynda]

Thanks Jim1 and softly softly,
 You have been an incredible help and I can't thank you enough.
I am in awe of how much info you have both uncovered in such a short time.
The problem I now have is that you have opened up a whole new range of rabbit holes for me to disappear down!
All my existing data fits with the rationale that Jim1 offered with the 6 serving brothers.
I'm still intrigued as to why the oldest brother changed his name from Joseph O Purdy to Joseph Dixon to enlist, and then after serving with Distinction in India and Aden he came back and re-enlisted as Joseph Oxenbrough.
But it's given me lots of strings to continue to unravel.
Thank you again!

[jim1]

I believe Dixon was the name of his Grandparents.
It could be he fell foul of the law as a young man &
decided to lose himself in the Army.
A very common occurrence.

[jim1]

A bit more about Joseph.
I've been holding off as his service records are a bit complicated.
In Jan. 1902 his RFA Bde. was transferred to the RGA Mountain Div.
so all service after that is with the RGA.
After his service (1st. time) he came out in 1903 & went into reserve.
In 1908 he re-enlisted in the Special Reserve no. 2509.
Completed his time in that in 1911.
4th. Nov. 1914 he re-enlists again no. 277509.
He spends the next couple of years on coastal defences mainly
Harwich.
In 1915 he transferred to the 3rd. Btn. Beds. Regt. no. 21242.
They were also based as Harwich.
In mid 1916 he transferred back to the RGA & posted to 112 Heavy Bty.
& sent to France.
Mid 1918 he's transferred to the 1st. Res. Bde. Winchester.
Discharged later that year.

[bazlynda]

Wow!
Thanks Jim1 - that is some great information, and lots more for me to follow up.

[jim1]

Something I noticed on his service record is that when he
joined in 1895 he lists his NOK as Charles Randall (uncle).
Then that's crossed out as deceased & his G/mother is listed
as his NOK named as Hannah Dixon.
I'm assuming this is Ann Randall who married Henry Oxbrough but you
will know better than me.
No mention of Jos. Purdy.
It may be after his mother's death & Joseph's re-marriage he felt a bit
of an outcast.

[bazlynda]

Interesting. I'll chase up the Randall link.
Of note is that he was a labourer in the mines in West Cornforth /Durham in 1891 Census (aged 17) and the following year was the 3 month Durham Coal Miners Strike of 1892 that saw 400,000 miners strike.
I wonder if that event, given his whole family was involved in the mines, was the trigger to see him change names and enlist in 1895?.