Hunter Wharton Kirke

Service number: 396

Rank: Lieutenant

Unit: 7th Light Horse, then 19th Battalion

Service:

Date of death:

Cemetery or memorial details:

War Grave Register notes:

Source: National Archives of Australia

Hunter Kirke was born in 1894 at Armidale. He was a clerk prior to enlisting on 13 April 1915.

He embarked on the Ceramic on 25 June 1915. He served at Gallipoli. He was promoted to Sergeant on 6 January 1917, to Second Lieutenant on 28 June 1917, and Lieutenant on 25 November 1917.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Morlancourt on 25 July 1918.

He returned to Australia on 28 July 1919. After the war he farmed at Leeton.

During WWII, when he was living in New Guinea, he had to evacuate in a hurry, leaving all his possessions. His MC was found two years later, strung around the neck of a native 1500 miles away. In 1949, the medal was on display at Manly Art Gallery when it was stolen [1]

Latterly he lived at Victoria Parade, Manly.

[1] Daily Telegraph 30 March 1949.