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Gnr. Charles Thomas Purvis
British Army 14th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:County Durham
Charles Purvis served in 14th Heavy Battery RGA. He was born in Easington, County Durham in 1892. He was a family man and animal lover and was employed in the collieries where he looked after the pit ponies.
Charles joined up in 1914 and served through to 1918. One of his famous engagements being attached to 2nd Canadian Div and was instrumental in the taking of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
On return from the war he went back to the pits until the outbreak of WW2 where he volunteered his services again but was deemed too old but was allowed to join the Home Guard which he served in for the 6 year duration of WW2. Returning to the colliery again after the wars to continue his employment. He died in 1948 and was survived by his wife and three children Annie, John and Eliza Mary (my grandmother). I am his Great Grandson and I too followed his example and also joined the Artillery. 74 years later in 1988 I marched off the same square in Woolwich as my great grandfather did in 1914.
