Photo Gallery
Harry LUKE
| Rank | Reg/Ser No | DOB | Enlisted | Discharge/Death | Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cpl | 10450 | 23y5m | 1916 | 9 Mar 1920 | 6 |
Harry Luke (1892 - 1980)
The Luke Family from Manchester
David Luke and his wife Mary née Davidson and their two children, Arthur and Clara were passengers on board the royal mail steamer Quetta from Lancashire to Brisbane in 1886. Three more children were born in Brisbane – Gertrude, Roland Thomas and Harry. Mr David Luke was a carpenter and on arrival the family lived at first at Fortitude Valley, later at Rosa Street in Spring Hill and then at Killeen Street Nundah. They attended Wharf Street Congregational Church.
Arthur married Mary Alice Bugslag whose younger brother Charles served in World War 1 and whose name is on an honour board at Saint Andrew’s Uniting Church. The eldest daughter Clara married Len Atherden whose name is also on an honour board. Gertrude became a tailoress and did not marry. The two younger brothers, Roland and Harry both served in the Australian Army Medical Corps in the Great War. Their father Mr David Luke died in 1918 before his sons returned from the war. Their mother Mary died in 1943 at the age of 86 years.
Extra Regimental Corporal Harry Luke's early life
Harry was the youngest member of the Luke family, born in Brisbane on 5 May 1892. He became a commercial traveller probably based at Toowoomba as it was there that he enlisted on 2 October 1915 to serve overseas in the military forces of the Commonwealth of Australia.
He was of slighter build than his older brother, 5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm) tall and 136 lbs (61.7 kg) in weight. Like his brother he named his father as next-of-kin, his religious denomination as Congregational and was allotted to serve in the Australian Army Medical Corps. Harry’s service number was 10450 and he embarked from Sydney on board SS Hawkes Bay with General Reinforcements for the Army Medical Corps on 20 April 1916.
Throughout the years of the war, Private Harry Luke carried out medical corps duties in England, mainly in London. He was attached for various lengths of time at Park House Camp and the Australian Auxiliary Hospitals at Southall and Moreton Gardens.
In January 1919, Private Luke was attached for duty with AIF Headquarters at Horseferry Road, London, an appointment he fulfilled till his return to Australia per SS Wahehe on 30 October. During this period, he received a promotion to Extra Regimental Corporal on 5 June 1919. On the return voyage he undertook responsibilities as part of the nursing staff. His AIF discharge was finalised in Brisbane on 9 March 1920.
Post war
Harry’s mother had moved to McIntyre Street, Wooloowin following her husband’s death in 1918. Again she would have welcomed her son’s return from the war. Harry resumed his work as a manufacturer’s agent and lived with his mother till he married at the age of 43. The wedding of Harry Luke and Ida May Smith took place on 21 December 1935. The couple lived at 20 Ryans Road Northgate till Harry retired and they moved to Southerden Avenue at The Grange. Harry died in 1980 and Ida in 1983.
Prepared by Noel Edward Adsett, Brisbane. February 2016 ©
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