Hello all,

I have read through all the entries to see if I could answer my questions before posting, but was not able to... so any help would be graciously welcomed.
I am from Canada and trying to research my Great Grandfather who was killed in 1915. The CWGC was able to give me some information about him, but that is all I have to go on. This is him here:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=381853

What I was wondering is what did the T stand for in his service number, and where can I find out how he was killed? It would seem several men were lost around the same date as he was and I wanted to know how I could find out what happened then. I have tried searching for details about the ship, and cannot find any other than the extraordinary details in April of 1915. He was lost to our family on Dec 21,1915. We know almost nothing about this man as he fled from Ireland to marry in Wales so basically all I can find is information starting with his new life in Wales, then England.

I also wanted to thank the person who suggested the British War Memorial Project web site in an earlier entry, I was able to get a great photo of his inscription on the Nunhead Memorial wall.

thank you in advance
Pamela

Welcome to the forum Pamela,

His service cards still exist, copies are held at Kew on microfiche. The originals are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum and they will copy them for a donation, but their wait queue is quite long. His card will probably have cause of death on it.

The T shows that he was a stoker in his 2nd term of enrollment (5 years at a time), so he should have 2 sets of cards.

His Majesty's Ship Hussar was a torpedo gunboat that survived the war.

All the best
Per Mare

Hello Pamela, welcome to the Forum.

This is from his Admiralty death record:

PURNELL, JOHN, STOKER, RNR, T 2867, HUSSAR, 20-Dec-15, ILLNESS.

Best wishes
David

Wow, thanks guys I really appreciate this!! This is a good thing that you do...

hi pam, dont know if you have a photo of hms hussar her she is . tony

hi pam , a little more info on hms hussar,

the ninth hussar 2 gun twin screw gunboat launched devonport 1894 broke up 1921
1070 tons 3500 hp.
navy list 1908
1070 tons 2500 hp

lieut com DAVID M HAMILTON
lieut BERNARD K BOASEL
eng lieut FREDERICK PRING
surgeon FREDERICK G WILSON
sub lieut JOSEPH M KENWORTHY
assit paymas, ALFRED E AYLEN
gunner MATTHEW CONNER
ARTIF ENG THOMAS P BARROW

regards tony.

Tony,

Thanks so much, that is a great photo. The information is greatly appreciated!!.

Best
Pamela

hello pamela
john purnell was my grandfather his daughter margaret bridget emigrated to canada i believe she was my auntie.i have tried to contact you as i have gathered information and would love to share it with you i look forward to a reply
thank you kevin

Kevin,

Thanks for getting in touch. I have been trying to track you down via ancestry as well.. I have responded to your message. Look forward to sharing with you

Pamela

Hi Pamela,
I believe my brother Kevin Purnell has been in touch with you re our grandfather John Purnell. As you know by now we are also trying to find out more about our ancesters. I would love to share the info I have of him with you. My son Michael has found out some things about him and put them in a little book. You are more than welcome to a copy of this. My e-mail address is --- annpritchard60@hotmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes Ann

PS It is believed that the Hussar was in collision with a stores ship, which tore out the Port side propeller which in turn caused a fire in the boiler room. We are not sure if grandad died due to impact, or injuries recieved. More info in the book.