Jul 20, 1895

Born in Podolsky, Russia to George (Grigori) and Georgina Charkavi

Jul 28, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario under the name of Prokopky Chorkavi

Ø  Number 455177

Ø  Next of kin given as Gregory (Grigori) Chorkavi, father, Podolsky, Russia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the battalion’s 2^nd Reinforcing Draft

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

There are different spellings of his name and differing given names.  This is likely a result of the fact that he spoke very poor English and it appears that he could not read or write as each place in his file requiring a signature, it is shown as “his mark” and either an X or a signature written by someone else.

Aug 8, 1915

Proceeded to Kingston to begin his training with the battalion

Nov 13, 1915

The 2nd Reinforcing Draft embarked the SS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec

Nov 23, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and the draft proceeded to the West Sandling Camp where the men were absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue training

May 25, 1916

Transferred to the CPTD (Canadian Pioneer Training Depot) in Shorncliffe

Jul 17, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jul 18, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Aug 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp near Brandhoek, Belgium

Aug 11, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Chorkavi joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

Sep 16, 1916

During heavy fighting along the Sunken Road beyond the Sugar Factory south of Courcelette, France, Private Chorkavi received 2 machine gun bullet wounds.  One grazed the front portion of his head and the second grazed the back portion of his head and he was able to walk to the 21^st Battalion’s Regimental Aid Post.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station for further evaluation.

Sep 18, 1916

Transferred to the No. 9 General Hospital

Sep 19, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Panama

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 5 Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 20, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shoreham

Nov 2, 1916

Admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood Park

Nov 27, 1916

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for 4 weeks of physical training at St. Leonard’s Hospital

Jan 21, 1917

Placed under arrest and charged with theft from a comrade

Mar 10, 1917

While in custody he was transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and remained attached to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot for physical training at St. Leonard’s Hospital, but remained in custody

Mar 12, 1917

Tried by District Court Martial held at St. Leonard’s and charged with

Ø  Theft of articles from a comrade including pain pills and German souvenirs

Ø  Possession of stolen items

After testimony was given, he was found Not Guilty of both charges and released from detention

Jun 14, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 31, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 27, 1918

Transferred to the CRTD (Canadian Railway Troops Depot) in Purfleet

Apr 12, 1918

Transferred to the 4^th Battalion, CRT (Canadian Railway Troops)

Arrived at the CGBD (Canadian Garrison Base Depot) in Boulogne, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 4^th Battalion CRT

Apr 17, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Chorkavi joined the 4^th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops

May 6, 1918

Sentenced to 4 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being absent from a work party from 12.30 pm until 5 pm May 6, 1918

Jun 10, 1918

Transferred to the 71^st Company CFC (Canadian Forestry Corps) in Audenge, France

Aug 5, 1918

Sentenced to 10 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for being absent from 10 pm August 4 until 8:30 am August 5, 1918 and forfeited 1 day’s pay

Dec 26, 1918

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 for stealing the sum of 592.50 francs from the No. 71 Company Canteen in Audenge, France

Mar 31, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale, England

May 5, 1919

Transferred to the Military District No. 3 Wing in the Canadian Concentration Camp, Rhyl, pending return to Canada

May 12, 1919

Embarked the SS Saturnia in Glasgow, Scotland

May 21, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario

May 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 184735

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge GPO Ottawa, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 290 Pembroke St., Pembroke, Ontario

Dec 31, 1919

Married to Georgina Lance in Pembroke, Ontario

Apr 10, 1944

Admitted to the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario with diagnosis that reads Brain Cancer

Apr 14, 1944

Brain surgery performed at the Ottawa Civic Hospital to remove a glioblastoma tumor from his brain

Apr 15, 1944

Alexander Prokoff Charkavi died following the surgery and was buried in the Saint Columba’s Cemetery, Pembroke, Ontario