Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Second World War D.S.O., Great War M.C. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Purves, Indian Army

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R. 1st issue, suspension bar officially dated, ‘1942’, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War Medal 1914-20 (Captn.); India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Lieut. (Actg. Capt.), M.C., 1/35/Sikhs); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Major, 11 Sikh R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; India Service Medal 1939-45, mounted court style for display, good very fine (9) £2400-2800

D.S.O. London Gazette 9 September 1942. ‘Lt-Col., 7th Indian Inf. Bde.’ Recommendation states: ‘Lt-Col. Purves commanded the 4/11 Sikh Regt. throughout the operations from November 16th 1941 up to the occupation of Bengazi by our forces in January 1942. Outside Sidi Omar his battalion, which was giving local protection to the 1st Field Regiment R.A. was subjected to a heavy tank attack but stood firm while the guns beat off the attack. Again South West of Gazala his battalion was moving to attack in lorries when the German Panzer Div. launched a counter attack. When ordered to fall back behind the line of A.Tk. defence, Col. Purves cooly turned his battalion about and withdrew them in perfect order. His battalion was largely responsible for the capture of Derna aerodrome, the destruction of several enemy aeroplanes and subsequently the fall of Derna itself. Throughout the period of these operations this officer has set a high standard of personal example and bravery worthy of the highest traditions’.

M.C. London Gazette 3 August 1920. ‘Lt. (A/Capt.), 1/35th Sikhs, Indian Army’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 December 1941.

James Jarvis Purves was born on 19 January 1898. He received his first commission on 15 November 1915. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1940, he led his battalion with distinction in both the East and North African campaigns. In General Wavell’s despatch on the operations in East Africa, November 1940-July 1941, Lieutenant-Colonel Purves (spelt Purvis), 4/11th Sikhs, was reported as being seriously wounded in the First Attack on Acqua Gap, February 1941. He held the rank of Acting Brigadier, April-October 1942 and Temporary Brigadier, October 1942-November 1943. Postwar he served as a Queen’s Messenger. Sold with a folder containing further copied research.