Military History

Luke joined up with the 16th Bn, which was formed just 6 weeks after the announcement of War. The 16th Bn. was composed of West Australian and South Australian regiments. They entrained to Melbourne and  came under the 16th Battalion, 4th Division
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ A40 for Egypt 22.12.1914.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 16th Battalion ‘A’ Coy Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Luke and his Bn. briefly stopped at Albany before continuing on to Egypt. They disembarked at Suez and entrained to Mena camp for a period of intensive training. During this period they  trained with the New Zealand troops and came under the combined ANZAC  title. Luke entrained to Alexandria, joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) and embarked for the Gallipoli Peninsula 12.4.1915. The 16th Bn. formed one of the first landing forces.  The landing of troops and supplies continued for over a week. In this period, the 16th Bn. was involved in protecting the beach area. In May they were engaged  in an advance towards  Quinn's Post , up a steep face called Bloody Angle. During the ensuing battle, Luke was KIA 12.5.1915. He was buried in a grave in the field by the Rev. Gillison 12.5.1915 - (5/8 mile NE of ANZAC Cove (See NAA  Luke E.J). His body was later reinterred to Quinns Post Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Cannakkale Province, Turkey. Row A Grave 28.
Final Rank Private, 16th Bn ‘A’ Coy. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos  Pte. E.J. Luke. Photograph source Sunday Times 25.7.1915 p6.
               HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0284A
               Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman photograph source AWM P2194.005
               Bloody Angle, Gallipoli, right hand corner in valley 1919. Produced by James, W.H., Swanston W.H., photograph source AWM G01766

Information Source
AWM PB0284A. HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of he Australian War Memorial
AWM  P2194.005.Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memoria
AWM G01766. Bloody Angle, Gallipoli, right hand corner in valley 1919. Produced by James, W.H., Swanston W.H., photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll E.J.Luke
NAA:B2455, Luke NAA
Sunday Times
Kalgoorlie . WA.

Associated Images