HARVEY, Caleb Playford
| Service Number: | 2671 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Kersbrook Roll of Honor, Kersbrook School Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 2671, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 2671, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2671, 10th Infantry Battalion |
Caleb Playford Harvey
Name: Caleb Playford Harvey
Service Number: 2671
Parents: Robert Harvey and Harriet Harvey (nee Giles)
Place of Birth: Goodwood
Date of Birth: 5 February 1893
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 4 August 1915
Age at Enlistment: 22 years 5 months
Marital Status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother, Harriet Harvey, Kersbrook
Occupation: Laborer
Religion: Church of Christ
Rank: Private 10th Battalion
Memorials: Kersbrook Roll of Honor; Kersbrook School Roll of Honor
Upon completion of basic training with R Group Base Infantry, Caleb was transferred to 6/27 Infantry Battalion. His unit embarked HMAT Benalla on 27 October, arriving in Egypt, early December. He was transferred to the 10th Battalion on 28 February. Caleb served in Egypt until 27 March, when the 27th Battalion was sent to fight in Marsailles, France. The 27th Battalion was involved in action at La Boiselle on 2 August, when Caleb sustained multiple wounds to the left thigh and buttocks. He was sent to Dunston Hospital at Northampton and later to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital for further treatment. Army Base records,Melbourne kept Caleb’s parents informed of their son’s condition throughout September and October.
He was discharged from hospital on 16 March 1917 and due to the extensive nature of his wounds, Caleb was returned to Australia on H.S. Beltana on 27 October. He was discharged as medically unfit on 15 August 1917. Caleb was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War medal and the Victory Medal.
Caleb Harvey died at Daw Park on 15 April, 1971.
Source: www.naa:B2455; Harvey.C.P. Barcode 4735893.
Submitted 5 September 2023 by christopher collins
Biography contributed by Modbury High School
Caleb Playford Harvey was born in in Goodwood South Australia, but grew up in Glenroy, Petersbrook, located southeast of the Adelaide CBD. Caleb’s next of kin was his mother - Mrs Hariet Harvey. Before the war, he was occupied as a labourer. Caleb’s religious beliefs belonged to the Church of England.
Caleb Playford Harvey enlisted into the battle of World War One on the 4th of August 1915, approximately a year after the commencement of it. He served in the 10th infantry battalion, one of the first infantry units raised for the AIF during World War One. His unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on board the HMAT A24 Benalla on the 27th of October 1915, only two months after their formation. Before proceeding and arriving in Egypt in early December, the battalion stopped in Albany Western Australia. They were involved in numerous battles and events including the Battle of Somme which first started in August of 1916. However, during this battle on the 25th of August, Caleb sustained a severe injury affecting his lower right side. He was sent from France to Englandfor medical treatment. This injury marked the end of Caleb’s service during the first world war.
Caleb returned to Australia on the 17th of March 1917 medically unfit. Caleb lived until early April 1971, passing away at the age of 77. His commemorative memorial plaque can be found in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance, located in the Centennial Park Cemetery.