Jan 31, 1897

Born in Norwood, Ontario to Frank and Sarah (nee McFadden) Starke

Feb 7, 1916

Attested into the 93^rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Number 195667

Ø  Next of kin given as Frank Starke, father, Norwood, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Baker

Ø  No previous miliary experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Initial training was done in Peterborough, Ontario

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

Jul 12, 1916

The 93^rd Battalion left Kingston at 6:00 am by train for Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 28, 1916

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

Nov 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Dec 12, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Starke joined the 21^st Battalion in Calonne, France and was posted to “B” Company and employed as a Cook

Feb 14, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) a fever without a known cause, sometimes referred to as Trench Fever

Feb 17, 1917

Transferred to the CRS (Canadian Rest Station) at the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

Feb 23, 1917

Discharged from the rest station and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the trenches west of Vimy Ridge

Sep 21, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 2, 1917

Rejoined the battalion Villers au Bois, France from leave

Nov 29, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 11, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in the Cellars Camp near Neuville St. Vaast, France from duty with the engineers

Feb 7, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Aug 10, 1918

Granted 8 days leave

Aug 25, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in trenches south of the Arras – Cambrai Road south-east of Arras, France from leave

Oct 24, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 13, 1918

Rejoined the battalion Mesvin, Belgium from leave

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Siegburg, Germany

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

On arrival in Kingston, he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

Jun 10, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Norwood, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o the General Post Office, Norwood, Ontario

Jun 5, 1920

Married to Letitia Mather in Peterborough, Ontario

Feb 12, 1980

David Francis Starke died in Peterborough, Ontario and was buried in the Norwood-Asphodel Cemetery in Norwood, Ontario

David Francis Starke is remembered on the
Wall of Honour in Peterborough, Ontario