LATE MAJOR R. G. PURDY. M.C.

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 81, 5 April 1918, Page 6

LATE MAJOR R. G. PURDY. M.C.

The, late Major B. G. Purdy, M.C., N.Z.S.C., when he was killed in action in France last, week,' was only 26 years of age, and had seen two and a-half years' active service. The eldest son of Colonel J. E. Purdy, of Medical Services, he was always popular among his fellows, especially at school, where he was prominent in athletics. While attending Wellington College he. won the college boxing * championship, and never had his, colours lowered. On leaving college he proposed to engage in farming, and in order to gain some knowledge of the clerical eide, joined the staff of Dalgety and Co at the age of 16 years. He was specially keen, however, to be a soldier, and when the Territorial scheme was inaugurated, he put in an application to sit for examination for entrance to Duntroon College. Young Purdy being some three days too old, General Godley, desiring to observe the regulations in their entirety, would not accept the, application. As it would be four years before staff officers could be obtained from Duntroon, however, applications were called for officers—one from district—to supply the deficiency, and Purdy received the appointment for the Wellington district. Lieu-, tenant Purdy, after joining the Staff Corps, was appointed adjutant of the 16th Regiment, with headquarters at Hamilton, and when war with Germany was announced he volunteered the same day for active service. He was detained in tho Dominion, however, to train others. Hi 6 chance came with the formation of the Ist and 2nd Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, in which he received the adjutantcy of the Ist Battalion, and he left with it for Egypt in October, 1915. He saw a good deal of service with the Bifle Brigade in the campaign against the Senussiin Egypt, and went to Prance in March, 1916, ,with the advance party. /He was appointed staff captain to his brigade, and afterwards captain. He went through practically all the engagements that the New Zealanders took part in, including the Battle of the Sornrne and the Battle of Messines. For his services on the Somme he received the Military Cross, and when the Rifle Brigade relieved a French brigade he again distinguished himself, and was personally decorated by General Antoine with the Croix de Guerre sat. the end of June, 1916. There are five classes of the Croix de Guerre; Major Purdy received the second class, which entitled him to wear the ■ gold star. At Messines he was promoted brigade major, and later received his majority, together with a bar to the Military Cross for conspicuous gallcfntry> in the field. He won all his military decorations within five months, and was generally regarded ac being one of New Zealand s meet yi'omiiflW^'toldiei-s.