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- RSL Virtual War memorial
Service Number: 5256 Enlisted: 19 July 1915, Melbourne, Victoria Last Rank: Lieutenant Last Unit: 7th Infantry Battalion Born: St Kilda, Victoria, 1890 Home Town: Warragul, Baw Baw, Victoria Schooling: Not yet discovered Occupation: Clerk Died: Killed in action, France, 9 August 1918 Cemetery: Heath Cemetery Special Memorial No. 22 Rupert Benjamin PURBRICK was born in 1890 in St Kilda, Victoria His parents were Frederick PURBRICK and Emily Mary INKERSOLE He married Idee Wilga Alex. SMYTH in 1916 in Victoria Rupert enlisted on 19th July 1915 with the Australian Army - he was with the 7th Battalion, 16th reinforcements - Unit embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Suffolk on 1st April, 1916 - He was a Private & then received a commission to 2nd Lieutenant. At the time of his death he was a 1st Lieutenant. He was Killed in Action on 9th August 1918 aged 28 years - buried in Heath Cemetery in Picardie Harbonniers, France and is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial - Medals awarded were British War Medal & Victory Medal West Gippsland Gazette (Warragul) Victoria -20th August 1918 Late Lieut. Purbrick. Still another name must be added to the long list of Warragul men killed in action in France, that of Rupert Purbrick. The late soldier joined the firm of Skews Hunter & Co as book-keeper some seven or eight years ago. He was not long in proving that he possessed business abilities far above the average. Personally he was of a very high character with a combination of good qualities all too seldom found in one individual. Shortly after the outbreak of war he enlisted and went into camp. His abilities were quickly recognised and promotion was rapid. At the time of his death he was a 1st Lieutenant. Lieut. Purbrick was a member of a well known family and a son of Mrs. Fredk. Purbrick of "Bromley" Stanhope St. Malvern. A few months before leaving for the front he married Miss Smyth, eldest daughter of Mr C N Smyth of this town and sincere sympathy will be felt for the young widow and her family. The late Lieut Purbrick was only about 27 or 28 years of age when he fell in action. Like many others we could name he has played a mans part and died full of courage fighting for his country The Argus - 22nd August 1918 PURBRICK.- Killed in Action in France 1918. Lieutenant Rupert B Purbrick, 7th Battalion, beloved husband of Wilga Purbrick & dearly loved seventh son of Mr. & Mrs. Purbrick of 110 Stanhope St. Malvern.
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