14th August 1941, The Rt Hon Arthur Blaikie Purvis

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by CL1, Apr 29, 2022.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    The Son of The late William Blaikie Purvis And Annie Marie Purvis of London Husband of Margaret Purvis, Killed at Ayr on Returning to His Duties in Washington After Attending Conferences in London.
    Ends Spectacular Career
    Purvis was appointed by the British government last January to head the supply council. A month before, he had been named in the privy council in recognition of his work as director-general of the British purchasing commission.
    Shortly after European hostilities began Purvis, then president and managing director of Canadian Industries, Limited, an amalgamation of munitions concerns, was selected to head the British purchasing commission on the basis of experience he gained during the World War.
    In the desperate need of acetone, a chemical vital to the manufacture of explosives, the British government sent Purvis to the United States in 1914 to buy all the acetone available. He was given three weeks to do the job. In a quick round-up he spent $25,000.000.
    Purvis, born in London, became an orphan at 13, went to work for the equivalent of $2.50 a week and built a business career that brought him to Canada in 1924 as president of the Nobel-DuPont subsidiary of Canadian Explosives, Limited. He offered the mergers that formed Canadian Industries, Limited, which was developed into a $50,000,000 business.
    He was survived by his widow, the former Margaret Jones, of Jamestown, N.Y. and a son. (Pub. Friday,Aug. 15,1941 The News-Palladium newspaper, Benton Harbour, Mich.

    CIVILIAN The Rt. Hon. ARTHUR BLAIKIE PURVIS
    Regiment & Unit/Ship

    Civilian War Dead

    Date of Death
    Died 14 August 1941

    Age 51 years old

    Buried or commemorated at
    AYR, BURGH OF, SCOTLAND

    Civilian War Dead


    • Country of ServiceUnited Kingdom
    • Additional InfoP.C. Chairman of the British Supply Council of North America. Son of the late William Blaikie Purvis and Annie Marie Purvis, of London; husband of Margaret Purvis, of 3585 Peel Street, Montreal, Canada. At Ayr when returning to his official duties in Washington after attending conferences in London.


    Arthur Blaikie Purvis (1890-1941) - Find a Grave...[​IMG]
     
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