We know that a good number of Purseys fought and lost their lives in both world wars. It is sad to see therefore their hard-earned medals up for sale.
Here are three that ended up under the auctioneer’s hammer:
Victory Medal. (SE-8126 Sjt.J.F.Persey (sic). A.V.C.) Awarded to Sergeant John Fredrick Pursey enlisted and served with the Army Veterinary Corps later Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He went to the French theatre of operation on the 9th June 1915. Whilst serving over in France with the Army Veterinary Corps he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal whilst with No. 13 Veterinary Hospital. He is named in the Fifth Supplement ‘The London Gazette’ dated Friday 30th May 1919. Date of award Tuesday 3rd June 1919 awarded the MSM “in recognition of valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders”. (with MIC, MSM medal roll and London Gazette).
Medal awarded to John Frederick Pursey
John Frederick was the husband of Frances Annie Simpson. He died Tockwith, Yorkshire in 1958.
This one appeared in 2013
WWI Memorial Plaque, named: WILLIAM PURSEY in manila envelope and brown cardboard case. EF. $100
Rifleman 655875 Pursey of 21st Bn. London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) was killed in action on 6th April 1918 and was buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme.
This one is for sale now
An evocative World War One Death Plaque issued to D/13906 Private Arthur Albert Pursey
2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays)
Died of wounds received on March 30th 1919 aged 35
Buried at the Huy La Sarte Military Cemetery, Liege, Belgium and remembered at the Guildford War Memorial in Surrey
Arthur Albert Pursey (1884 – 1919)
