1881 – Clonmel Sailor’s Heroic Last Act

Clonmel Chronicle, 6 July 1881 

In late June 1881, Algernon Parkins Purchase died in tragic circumstances whilst serving in the crew of the H.M.S. Hercules. The Clonmel Chronicle reprinted the letter of condolence sent to his father, Nicholas Sampson Purchase, who, at that time, was serving in the Control Department in Clonmel (the Control Department was responsible for providing logistic support to the army).