"Great men are the guideposts and landmarks in the state," said Edmund Burke. Herbert Purcell was indeed a guide-post in a long, busy and extraordinarily varied life which embraced activities in many lands, particularly in his native country. Wherever he found himself, his courage, determination and innate kindness invariably engendered both deep regard and much respect.
Born in Dublin in 1910, he was educated by the Jesuits in Belvedere College, Dublin, and subsequently at Beaumont College, Windsor. At the latter he was captain of the school and the former saw him as a prominent rugby player, winning a Junior Cup medal in 1925. His coach said that if Herbert had stayed in Belvedere he would have been an international player. Interestingly some 55 years later he was to have the pleasure of seeing his youngest son, Peter, play for Ireland.
Like many Irishmen down the centuries, he chose a military career. Joining the RAF in 1929, he was posted to India where, among other exploits, he managed to write off a plane when he hit a cow on the runway while landing (shades of Percy French and the West Clare Railway).
Transferring to the Indian Army - a most unusual move for a qualified RAF pilot - he joined the Gurkhas and from 1935 until his retirement in 1947 served with these wonderful troops. In Burma, when his battalion was part of the 7th Indian Division (the Golden Arrow Division), he took part in the longest opposed river crossing of the second World War, that of the Irrawaddy, over a mile wide.
After the end of hostilities in Burma his battalion found itself in what was then Saigon, French Indo-China. Here street fighting had commenced and conflict soon ensued between the French and the Viet Minh. The next move was to the Netherlands East Indies for a short period before a return to the North-West Frontier of India. Then it was back to Malaya and finally to Madras and Calcutta.
Civilian life then beckoned, ostensibly to enjoy hunting and racing in Ireland, but other events intervened and he found himself with a business career which was to last some 35 years. This was with the family yeast company. One cannot help think how appropriate this product was for Herbert - like himself bubbling over with enthusiasm and uplifting all around him.
Throughout these two careers, one military and one civilian, "the Colonel", as he was affectionately known, was a quite outstanding sportsman. He was a true-all-rounder; ranging from cox of the Beaumont College Eight, first XV for Lansdowne RFC, featherweight champion of the RAF, and subsequently the Inter-Services Championship. This was not all, for as an amateur jockey, he won numerous races and point-to-points and was an accomplished polo player and master of hounds. Finally, he was a well-known and very good tennis player, being a member of Carrickmines, Fitzwilliam and Monkstown clubs.
From the foregoing it will be realised what a unique person Herbert was in so many spheres of life and over such a lengthy period of time. At all times his thoughtfulness and kindness to others took precedence and as a true Christian gentleman he was always available to help and assist those not so fortunate as himself. In particular, the welfare of those members of the Royal British Legion, of the Burma Star Association, and of Leopardstown Hospital were very close to his heart. He never spared himself in looking after the interests of others.
He married Beatrice Drummond in 1950 and they had four children, Hugh, Geoffrey, Peter and Clare. Most happily, a great family celebration of their golden wedding took place during his last year - a wonderful culmination to an outstanding life. Deo gratias.