Muir PURSER DSO, MiD

Muir PURSER DSO, MiD Update Details

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PURSER, Muir

Service Number:	N21131
Enlisted:	30 June 1915, Sydney, New South Wales
Last Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Last Unit:	36 Infantry Battalion AMF
Born:	Waverley, New South Wales, 7 January 1887
Home Town:	Waverley, Waverley, New South Wales
Schooling:	Cleveland Street Superior Public School
Occupation:	Correspondence clerk
Died:	Natural causes, Ryde, New South Wales, 14 October 1970, aged 83 years
Cemetery:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:	Longueville Public School WW1 Honour Roll

World War 1 Service

30 Jun 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Major, Sydney, New South Wales
9 Nov 1915:	Embarked AIF WW1, Major, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney
9 Nov 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Major, 30th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: ''
20 Jul 1916:	Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Fromelles (Fleurbaix)
1 Dec 1916:	Transferred AIF WW1, Major, 29th Infantry Battalion
1 Mar 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant Colonel, 29th Infantry Battalion
9 Apr 1917:	Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatches 29890/3479
25 Sep 1917:	Honoured Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Polygon Wood, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was ordered at very short notice to take part in an attack with his battalion on the following morning. Notwithstanding the limited time available he made all the necessary arrangements, and led his battalion through a heavy barrage to the assembly position. In the attack he overcame all resistance by assaulting numerous strong points and capturing large numbers of prisoners. After the final objective was captured he was instrumental in repulsing with heavy loss several enemy counter attacks. He set a splendid example of courage and determination to his battalion." - Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 - Date: 30 August 1918
18 Apr 1918:	Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatches 30448/1776
6 Jun 1918:	Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant Colonel, 29th Infantry Battalion

World War 2 Service

17 Feb 1942:	Enlisted Lieutenant Colonel, N21131, Greta, New South Wales
17 Feb 1942:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, N21131
15 Apr 1943:	Discharged Lieutenant Colonel, N21131, 36 Infantry Battalion AMF

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Biography contributed by John Lakey

Son of William Henry and Amy Elizabeth

"...Lieutenant Colonel Muir Purser DSO. A correspondence clerk from Waverley, NSW prior to enlistment, Lt Col Purser had already had extensive service with the militia and embarked with the rank of Major with the 30th Battalion from Sydney on HMAT Beltana on 9 November 1915. Initially transferring to the 38th Battalion, he later transferred to the 29th Battalion where he was Mentioned in Despatches on two separate occasions. Following his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Late on the evening of 25th September 1917 Lieut-Col Purser was ordered to proceed to the front line with his battalion, to take the place of another battalion in the operation on 5.50 am on September 26th. Notwithstanding the limited time available, this officer made all necessary arrangements and led his command through a heavy enemy barrage, arriving at the place of assembly just before zero hour. Lt-Col Purser commanded his battalion in the attack on the final objective, overcoming all enemy resistance by assaulting numerous strong points and capturing large numbers of prisoners. After establishing his battalion on the final objective, he was instrumental in repulsing, with heavy loss, several counter enemy attacks." After transferring to the 32nd Battalion he was Mentioned in Despatches for the third time. On 13 March 1918 he returned to Australia and was discharged citing family reasons. Lt Col Purser went on to see active service with the 36th Battalion in the Second World War." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

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