The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Captain B A Purver

Home     

Captain Bernard Arthur PURVER, "A" Company, 11th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, 7th October 1916, age 27.

26th March 1889, born Greenwich, London, younger son of Walter John Purver J.P., & Thurza Jane Purver, of 28, Auckland Road., Norwood, London.

9th June 1889, Congregational Church, Greenwich Road, Greenwich, Kent, baptism of Bernard Arthur Purver, son of Walter John, (School Board Superintendent),  & Thurza Jane Purver, 63 Royal Hill, Greenwich.

1911 Census - 5 Halesworth Road, Lewisham, London SE - Walter John Purver, head, age 57, married, Divisional Superintendent, London County Council, Education Committee, worker, born Alresford, Hampshire; Thurza Jane Purver, wife, age 61, married 32 years, 4 children, all still alive, born Colchester, Essex; Edith Margaret Purver, son, age 30, single, teacher Secondary School, London County Council, Education Committee, worker, born Deptford, London; Bernard Arthur Purver, son, age 22, single, Insurance Clerk, National Mutual Insurance Co. 39 King Street, London EC, worker, born Greenwich, London; Lily Scurry, servant, age 17, single, servant domestic, worker, born Belcham St Paul, Essex.

1916, June Lewisham Registration District, married Helen Edmondston, of Croydon, Surrey.

Lieut. Bernard A. Purver, Royal West Kents, who has been killed in action, was the son of Mr. W.J. Purver J.P., of Marlborough-road, Lee and son-in-law of Mr. Thomas Edmondston, of Belmont-park, Lee. He was leading his company and received the wound which proved fatal while waiting for the enemy barrage fire to lift. His friend, Lieut. Morley, was near him and rendered such aid as he could; when the order came for the advance the dying officer said ‘Carry on, Morley!’ and his friend went forward and was himself wounded a few minutes later.’ Bernard Purver’s body was never recovered but he is remembered on the Thiepeval Memorial (Pier and Face 11C)

24th November 1916, Probate - Bernard Arthur Purver, of 1 Marlborough Road, Lee, Kent, died 7th October 1916, near Flers in France on Active Service. Probate London 24th November to Helen Purver, widow. Effects £390 2s.

Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 11C, France / 

Addition to Family Gravestone Hither Green Cemetery, Plot  D,  Verdant Lane, Lewisham - .../ALSO OF BERNARD ARTHUR/CAPT. 11TH ROYAL WEST KENT REGT./YOUNGER SON OF ABOVE/AND DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND OF/HELEN PURVER/KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE/7TH OCTOBER 1916 AGED 27./"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS/THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE/FOR HIS FRIENDS."/

London Gazette 16th July 1915.

The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). 11th Battalion (Lewisham)

Temporary Second Lieutenant Bernard A. Purver, from 10th (Reserve) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 5th July, 1915.

London Gazette 29th November 1915.

The under mentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants. Dated 28th September, 1915.

Bernard A. Purver.

London Gazette 25th October 1916.

Royal West Kent Regiment - Temporary Lieutenant  B. A. Purver to be temporary Captain - 16 September 1916.