Article

Gillis Philip Purcell

Published Online September 8, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Gillis Philip Purcell, journalist (b at Brandon, Man 25 Nov 1904; d at Toronto 16 Nov 1987), educated at University of Manitoba and University of Toronto. He was general manager of CANADIAN PRESS from 1945 to 1969, having been No 2 man for 13 years before that.

Gillis Philip Purcell

Gillis Philip Purcell, journalist (b at Brandon, Man 25 Nov 1904; d at Toronto 16 Nov 1987), educated at University of Manitoba and University of Toronto. He was general manager of CANADIAN PRESS from 1945 to 1969, having been No 2 man for 13 years before that. During his tenure CP emerged as one of the world's leading news services. He set up such services as photography and broadcasting and a service in French. One of his major responsibilities was the development of war coverage. Purcell served briefly as press officer for the 1st Div, Canadian Army, and later as public-relations officer with the 1st Canadian Corps overseas, where he lost his left leg during maneuvres. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Canadian News Hall of Fame.