Thomas James Purves (1896-1915)

Dates

Birth: 3:30am 22 January 1896 Ladyflat, Langton, Berwickshire, Scotland, UK
Father: Thomas Purves 1861-1933
Mother: Janet Utterson 1862-1901

Christening: Unknown

Marriage: Believed not married

Death: 14 July 1915 Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey
Memorial: Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222 Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey

Children

None known

Notes

Entry in the Register of Births for Thomas James Purves in 1896 in Langton (747/ 1). "1896 Births in the Parish of Langton in the County of Berwick [No.] 1 Thomas James Purves 1896 January Twenty-Second 3 h. 30m. A.M. [at] Ladyflat [parents] Thomas Purves Ploughman [and] Janet Purves M.S. Utterson [married] 1889 March 29th [at] Ladykirk [informant] Thomas Purves Father (Present) [on] 1896 February 6th At: Gavington". Ladyflat is south of Gavington and Langton and north of Blackadder Water.

His mother died in Duns in 1900.

In the 1901 census as Thomas Purves aged 5, born in Langton, Berwickshire, and living with his father (Thomas) and a servant (Jane Kinghorn) at Mountrair Farm, Swinton, Berwickshire.

In the 1911 census as Thomas James Purves aged 15, born in Langton, Berwick, a cattleman, and living with his widowed father (Thomas) in two rooms with windows at Simprim Farm, Swinton, Berwickshire. His two aunts (Jane and Mary) and cousin (Peter) were living on one side and uncle (John) and family on the other.

Entry in Ancestry UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 for Thomas James Purves born in Duns, Berwickshire, Private 7168 1st 4th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borders died of wounds on 14 July 1915 in the Dardanelles.

Entry in Ancestry UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 for Thomas James Purves 7168 King's Own Scottish Borderers died 14 July 1915 aged 19 recorded on Helles Memorial Part XIII. "Index to No. MR4 Helles Memorial Part XIII [...] Purves, Pte. Thomas James Purves, 7168. 1st/4th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. 14 July, 1915. Age 19. Son of Thomas Purves, of Ayton Law, Ayton, Berwickshire, and the late Jennet Utterson Purves."

Entry in FindaGrave for Pvt James Purves born in 1896 in Scottish Borders, parents Thomas and Janet Utterson Purves died 12 July 1915 at Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey, Lennel Old Churchyard, Coldstream, Scottish Borders, Scotland, had two siblings, one Peter and the other unnamed, and the following note: "Estimated date of birth. There is no record of James on FaG nor on CWGC website. There is a James Purves of the H.L.I. who dies on the same day at the Dardanelles, but he is a corporal." There is another entry for Thomas James Purves Private, King's Own Scottish Borderers died 14 July 1915 aged 19 listed on Panel 84 to 92 or 220 to 222 Helles Memorial Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey (A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere). There is also a memorial stone in Lennel Old Churchyard, Coldstream, Scottish Borders, Scotland. "Erected by Thomas and Janet Purves Milne Graden West Mains In Loving Memory of Peter their son who died 22nd June 1894 aged 3 years and 10 months. Also William Utterson their nephew who died 29th June 1894, aged 4 years. Little children abide in him. Also their son who died in infancy. Also Janet Younger Dickson widow of Wm.Utterson and Mother of the above Janet Purves who died at Mountfair 30th Novr 1897 aged 72 years. Also Janet Utterson wife of the above who died 6th Jan. 1900 aged 38 years. Also Pte James Purves son of the above died of wounds received at the Dardanelles 12th July 1915, aged 19 years. Also the above Thomas Purves, who died 20th April 1933, aged 73 years".

Entry in Commonwealth Graves Commision for Private Thomas James Purves, Son of Thomas Purves, of Ayton Law, Ayton, Berwickshire, and the late Jennet Utterson Purves, 7168 King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st/4th Bn, died 14 July 1915 aged 19, commemorated at Panel 85 to 93 or 220 to 222, Turkey (including Gallipoli).

Entry in Ancestry UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 for Thomas James Purves private 7168 King's Own Scottish Borderers died 14 July 1915 £2 9s. 2d. paid to Thomas Purves father on 14 January 1916 and £3 on 21 August 1919.

There are six entries in Ancestry Public Member Trees for Thomas James Purves including a newspaper clipping:

Private Thomas James Purves, Ladykirk
Private Thomas James Purves, 14th K.O.S.B., is the only son of Mr Thomas Purves, Ladykirk Shiels. His father has received the sad news that Private Purves died on 14th July, of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles.

Entry in The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

James Purves, K.O.Scottish Borderers Thomas James Purves – age 19 – Private (7168) 1/4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. On the 1901 census and on the family gravestone in Lennel Old Churchyard he is named as James. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli in June 1915 but he was fatally wounded a month later during the battle at Achi Baba Nullah. His burial place was lost. Born 1896 in Langton, Berwickshire. Son of the late Janet (Utterson) Purves (died 1900) and of Thomas Purves of Ladykirk Shiels and of Ayton Law, Ayton, Berwickshire. Died of Wounds on 14 July 1915 and named on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Relationship

Thomas James Purves was the first cousin of Peter Purves, husband of Isabella Richardson Steele, wife of Robert James Gordon, father of Irene Alice Gordon, wife of George William Barton, brother of Dennis Alfred Barton, my brother-in-law.

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