Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman F. D. Purnell, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Hawke was struck and sunk by a German submarine off Aberdeen, 15 October 1914

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (F. D. Purnell, A.B., H.M.S. Fearless) small impressed naming, suspension claw re-pinned; 1914-15 Star (183408. F. D. Purnell, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (183408 F. D. Purnell. A.B. R.N.) mounted for display, light contact marks overall, therefore very fine (4) £280-£320

Frederick David Purnell was born in Croydon, Surrey in February 1880. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in April 1895, and advanced to Able Seaman in September 1898. Purnell served with H.M.S. Fearless, January 1897 - November 1900, and with H.M.S. Hawke (cruiser) from 7 August 1914. He was discharged dead when on 15 October 1914, ‘Drowned in North Sea when H.M.S. Hawke was sunk by a German submarine’ (Service Papers refer).

On the above date the Hawke had been on patrol off Aberdeen when she was struck and sunk by a torpedo fired by U-9. Whilst there were survivors, Purnell was amongst 524 of the crew that lost their lives. Able Seaman Purnell is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.