William Purdy was born in Little Walsingham in 1866 and was the son of William Purdy (1831) and Mary Tuck. In 1871 he was living in Knight Street, Little Walsingham. In 1881 he was an errand boy in Little Walsingham. He married Susannah Langley from Snettisham around 1889 and, by 1901, was working as a wheelwright in Snettisham.

Sources
• 1. 1881 Census. Knight Street, Little Walsingham. William Purdy. Son. Age 15. Born Little Walsingham. Errand boy. • 2. 1871 Census. Knight St, Little Walsingham. William Purdy. Son. Age 5. Ag. Lab's Son. Born Little Walsingham.