Joseph Ernest Purdey was born on 20 September 1889 in East Melbourne.  He was the son of James Purdey (1852-1924) and Jessie Carrick Maver (1852-1927).  The 1892 Sands & McDougall Post Office directory lists J. Purdy as caretaker of the Friendly Society Gardens, Yarra Park, East Melbourne (now the site of AAMI Stadium).  Mr. Purdy was caretaker as early as 1882 when a murder victim was found in the gardens.  The spelling is consistent with the the 1903 electoral rolls when James was living at Warburton working as a farmer; and again in 1909 when he had moved to Euroa.  In 1914 he was farming in Tongala and listed with the name spelt, Purdey.  The family was still there when Joseph enlisted.

Joseph enlisted on 14 February 1916, the same day as his brother, George Rising Purdey.  He was 5ft 8ins, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  His occupation was given as farmer.  He was appointed to the 18/4 Light Horse Reinforcements at Seymour as a private on 1 March.  On 28 March he was appointed driver with the 10th Field Company Engineers at Seymour on 29 May and promoted to 2nd corporal on 25 May.

He embarked on 20 June 1916 aboard the Runic and arrived at Plymouth on 10 August.  He was admitted to hospital in Colchester with scarlet fever on 10 September and returned from sick leave on 15 October 1916 and proceeded overseas to France on 23 November.

He was wounded in action at Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October 1917 and died of his wounds on 13 October.

Miss I.F. Scott, Verane, 29 Broadway, Camberwell, requested information about his death and received the following reply, which was also went to Joseph's father.

The above N.C.O. was wounded by a High Explosive Shell which hit him in the left foot, ankle, leg, throat and right leg while in charge of the mule transport (packs) of this unit at the attack on 4-10-17, (Ypres).  He was carried to the Advanced Dressing Station by his brother, L/Cpl. G.R. Purdey. 2nd Cpl, J.E. Purdey died of these wounds at No. 55 General Hospital, Boulogne, on 13-10-17 and is buried in grave No. 2132, Wimereux Military Cemetery, Boulogne.  It is his brother's intention to place a cross over the grave at the first opportunity.

The unit's War Diary gives a detailed acount:

16 pack Mules in charge of a Driver N.C.O. left Company Billets, YPRES and proceeded to BAVARIA HOUSE DUMP C 3 & C [?] to pick up Engineer Stores & proceed to BORRY FARM to pick up guide from S.P. [starting point?] and proceed to site of Strong Point  After delivering the first load the pack animals were commandeered by 10th Bde for conveyance of S.A. [small arms?] ammunition to the forward area. Whilst carrying out this work, 2 O.R.s [Other Ranks] wounded, 1 riding horse & 1 pack mule killed.

He was awarded the Military Medal, announcement of which appeared in the London Gazette on 25 January 1918 and in the Australian Gazette on 27 June 1918.  The medal was sent to his father with a letter praising his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, but sadly lacks any detail of his action.