Petty Officer James Purves M.M.

Petty Officer James Purves M.M., Drake Battalion, 63rd ( Royal Naval ) Division. He was killed in action in France on 30th September 1918, aged 37. during the ” Advance to Victory “. He was the son of Mrs Margaret Ford Purves of Garage House, Ayton  and is buried in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension, nr. Cambrai, Nord, France. The Division was originally raised from Naval and Royal Marine reservists who were not required for sea duty. The  63rd (Royal Naval) Division fought as infantry although naval rankings were retained. The photographs show Allied troops in pursuit of the retreating German Army during the last 100 days of the War.