Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the Lincolnshire Yeomanry.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette of 6 September 1918.

Henry Black Purves was born at Jamalpore with Monghyr, Mhow, India on the 13 November 1873, the son of Henry Black and Elizabeth Purves. His father was a civil surgeon at that time.

Married on the 3 October 1908 to Ethel Beatrice Locke at Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, London at this time his father is described as being a Lieutenant Colonel (retired).

The London Gazette shows that the Distinguished Service Order awarded to Purves was approved by the KING "For distinguished and gallant services rendered on the occasion of the destruction or damage by enemy action of Hospital Ships, Transports and Store Ships, on the 3 June 1918."

Robert Black Purves died on the 4 December 1937 at Lindum House, Lincoln and was buried on the 7 December at East Gate Cemetery, Lincoln.