| Rank | Sergeant, Private, Lt. |
| Service # | 475266 |
| Unit # | 4th University Company |
| Resident | Udora |
Regimental number: 475266 Rank: LT Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4136 – 44, Item: 447852, PDF:- B4136-SO44. Date of Birth 06/03/1888 at Scott Twsp. Udora, ON., near Lake Simcoe. The son of Norman Harvey and Eliza Jane of Udora, ON. John had been the principal of the Wheatley Continuation School and had organized the local Boy Scouts before he left in July of 1914. He had been teaching at Chatham Collegiate Institute , Chatham, ON. Single. Attestation: 10/09/1915 at Toronto, ON. to 4th University Coy. CEF, a recruiting unit for the PPCLI.
Apparent Age: 27 yrs. 5 mths., Height 5’ 9”, Girth: 37 ½”, Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Fair. He had a mole between his shoulder blades. Medically “Fit” 1/09/15 at Toronto, ON. He also had a brown spot on his right hip.
It is assumed that he had an interest in a nurse in Cleveland, Miss Mae Elizabeth Hinchey, Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Embarked 27/11/15 to the 52nd Bn. Lieut. PPCLI. To be Lieut. 27/01/16, 20/06/16.
Pte. Irvine 1915 – Sept. to Nov., when promoted to Cpl. 25/10/15. 52nd Batt. 4th Univ. Co. with the tank of Lieut. – 52nd. Batt. Date of Service in France 7/12/15, 17/06/16 and 16/09/16.
He was promoted to sergeant in Montreal where the PPCLI was mobilized. In April 1916 he received his commission as a Lieutenant and in June of that year was assigned to the 52nd (Port Arthur) Battalion of the 3rd Division, CEF., for the Battle of Zillebeke. In September the Canadian Corps was moved to the Somme and ordered to capture the town of Courcelette and over eleven weeks would suffer 24,000 casualties. While leading his men during that battle twenty-eight year old Lieut. Havey would be killed in action at Courcelette. 24/06/16 CDP 25/09/16. WJ. 4/14/09, WJ 10/11/10 His name is on the Univ. of Toronto.
Assigned Pay to Miss Mae Hinchey, Dover Centre to 50 Hillard St., Chatham, ON,
Lieut. John Irvine Harvey’s WWI Victory Medal came up on e-Bay for auction in 2010 and was noticed by Mr. David Thompson, who lives in St. George, near Brantford, the nationally renowned “medal detective” who has has successfully repatriated Great War medals to family or area museums from which the medals had some connection. Through his efforts this medal now resides in the C-K Museum in Chatham, ON. “I believe in preserving our country’s history and respecting the soldiers who sacrificed so much to make Canada what it is today. I am happy to help safeguard Canadian history”. Dave has received a commendation from Veterans Affairs and was nominated for a Governor Generals Award for his work. WT 10/11/10.
HARVEY, JOHN IRVINE Initials: J I Nationality: Canadian Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) Unit Text: 52nd Bn. Age: 28 Date of Death: 16/09/1916 Additional information: Son of Norman and Eliza Jane Harvey, of Udora, Ontario. Manitoba Regt. 52nd Bn. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. A. 6. Cemetery: COURCELETTE BRITISH CEMETERY
Medals and Decorations : Miss Mae Elizabeth Hinchey, Lake Side Hospital Cleveland, OH., USA. Plaque and Scroll: to Norman Harvey (father) Feb. 12 Plaque 1/05/22. Memorial Cross to Mrs. Eliza Jane Harvey (mother) 20/12/20.
He taught at CCI Chatham 1910 -11.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (25-09-1916), Wheatley Journal Newspaper (14-10-2009), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Wheatley Journal Newspaper (10-11-2010), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4136 - 44, LAC |
| Supplemental Information | Age: 28 Date of Death: 16/09/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. A. 6. Cemetery: COURCELETTE BRITISH CEMETERY |
| Height | 5'9" |
| Eye Colour | Grey |
| Age | 27 yrs. 5 mths. |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Fair |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | 06/03/1888 at Scott Twsp. Udora, ON. near Lake Simcoe. |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Last Place of Employment | Chatham Collegiate Institute |
| Marital Status | single |
| When Enlisted | Sept. 1, 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | Montreal, Quebec |
| Next of Kin | Father: Norman Harvey, Udora, Ontario |
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