2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

Awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 23 July 1918.

Purves was a native of Hartlepool, Durham living at Burnley, Lancashire at the outbreak of war.

The citation for his Military Cross published in the London Gazette reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at a main dressing station, when by his courage, untiring energy, and grasp of the sitution over 1,000 wounded were passed through the station without an hitch, and when, owing to continuous shelling, he had to retire all cases were got safely away, as the troops were executing a withdrawal."

The Burnley Express of 26 July 1918 reported, MILITARY CROSS FOR DOCTOR Burnley Officer's Gallant Work Another Burnley doctor has gained distinction in the present war. This is Doctor W. J. Purves, of 143, Todmorden Road, Burnley, who has been serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps ever since the war broke out, being at the time a lieutenant in the East Lancashire Field Ambulance. The doctor is now a Major, and the deed for which he has been awarded the Military Cross has just been announced in the London Gazette.