Regimental number: 189865. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 1283 – 21, Item No.:  76184, PDF: B1283 – S021. Date of Birth: 29/09/1892 at Blenheim, Kent Co., ON. The son of Sidney Burk. The husband of Violet “Given permission to be married after enlisting.” A linesman by trade. Had previously served with the 24^th Kent Regt. He was living at 9 Degge St., Chatham 6/09/17.    

He enlisted with the 91^st Batt. at St. Thomas, ON. 17/01/16 (not 15/01/16). Would transfer to the 186^th overseas Batt. Age: 23 yrs. 4 Mos. 5’ 4 ½ or 5’7”, Com: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown. Medical at Chatham, ON. 8/01/16. Embarked at Halifax 25/03/17; Arrived Liverpool, England 7/04/17 

Husband of Violet, married 2/03/17 and father of Sidney. Harvey was employed by the Hydro Electric Commission before he enlisted St. Thomas, ON. Attestation: 15/01/1916 to the 91^st Bn.

Private Harvey M. Burke was transferred from the 91st. to the 186th. Battalion as Bandsman, going overseas March 26th, 1917. In England he trained as an infantryman serving at Passchendaale 12/11/17 with the 18^th Bn., suffering a GSW to the shoulder. He was hospitalize for his wound but would rejoin the 18^th Bn. transferred to the Machine Gun section where he would be wounded a second time, this time in the right arm which would see him invalided to England 27/08/18. He did not return to combat.

Harvey served in France 6/09/17 to 3/09/18 and was wounded twice. 8/09/17 Pte. Burk was transferred from the 4^th Reserve Batt. to the 18^th Batt. 0n 4/11/17 he sustained a shrapnel wound to his right shoulder 11/11/17 while in the field. He suffered a GSW to the shoulder. He was hospitalized for his wound, recovered and returned to the 18^th Batt. There was “no impairment as a result or disability and after six months he was returned to service.  

While serving in the field with the 18^th Batt. Harvey was wounded for the second time this time he was wounded in the right arm, Right calf and left ankle. After being accessed at the Casualty Clearing Station he was evacuated to England first at Graylingwell Hospital at Chester 2/09/18 (K-Section, E-Block, Ward 1, Bed 52.

He was transferred to Princess Patricia Cdn. Red Cross Hospital, Cooden, Bexhill, Sussex. He underwent surgery and care the injury to his left ankle was the worse for recovery. He was at this hospital from 4/10/18 to 28/12/18.

From there he was transferred to No.5 Cdn. General Hospital at Liverpool. Details of his treatment can be seen on the Library Archives Canada website    http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/list.aspx?RegimentNum=189865& ( PDF: B1283-S021)

Pte. Burk was discharged from hospital 1/03/1919 and invalided to Canada 17/01/19. Posted to hospital in London, ON. until 29/01/1919 and Discharged from H.M.S. (His Majesty’s Service) “Medically Unfit” 7/03/1919.

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE, Blenheim News Tribune (08-03-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (12-04-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (19-04-1916), Blenheim Freedom Library, In Khaki - Blenheim Enlistment Book, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 185 60th Anniversary Book 1930-1990, CDN (28/08/18), LAC #76184, LAC (complete file reviewed) JRH.

Height	5' 2"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	24
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Fair
Race	White
Birthplace	29/09/1892 in Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON.
Religion	Presbyterian
Last Place of Employment	Hydro Electric Commission, Blenheim, Ontario.
Average Earnings	$15.00 per week
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	March 2nd, 1917, Chatham, Ontario.
When Enlisted	January 15th, 1916
Where Enlisted	St. Thomas, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$5.00 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Violet Burke, Blenheim, Ontario. Father- Sidney Burke, Blenheim, Ontario.

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