Harold Frederick Berkett

• Occupation: Railway worker
• Rank: Private
• Service Number: 10/482
• Force: NZEF

Family

Harold was born 20 August 1894 at Hope, Nelson, 10th of 15 [16?] children to Henry Samuel and Christina Berkett of Hope. Harold was educated at Hope School.

Pre-War

Employed as a railway worker for NZ Rail at Taihape where he lived in the Railway Barracks.

1914

On 20 August he enlisted at Taihape, aged 20. (NOTE: 19 September 1917 2nd Attestation was for purposes of travel back to England) 21 September: Medical at Awapuni Military Camp, classed fit for service and posted to Wellington Infantry Bttn. 17th Ruahine Coy. 16 October: The NZ Expeditionary Force embarked Wellington for Egypt.

1915

He was posted to the Dardenelles, arrived at Gallipoli landing on 6 August. 8 August at Sulva Bay. During an attack on enemy position was wounded by a rifle bullet which struck a little above the right wrist, coursed up the arm shattering the humerus and shoulder. He was taken by hospital ship to Alexandria. 13 August: Admitted to 15th General hospital in Alexandria. 16 August: He had an operation to amputate upper end of humerus which was splintered. Did well for a time then sepsis set in and he was placed on the dangerously ill list. 31 August: Further amputation going through to the shoulder joint. By September he was taken off the dangerously ill list and on 6 November it was recorded that ‘Wounds practically healed’. 26 November: Transferred to hospital train for Suez then embarked on the Maheno for New Zealand.

1916

24 January: Medical Board declared Harold to have a permanent disability and awarded a pension. 14 February: Discharged from the NZEF in New Zealand because of injury. 5 May: Embarked on Maheno to England for artificial limb fitting at Roehampton. 7 July: Operated on stump, a piece of bone and scar tissue removed, wound cleaned. 31 October: Admitted to VD ward Hornchurch with gonorrhea. He stayed for 3 weeks.

1917

29 June: Re-admitted NZ Gen Hospital, Codford to finish amputation. 16 November: He finally embarked at Liverpool on the Ruahine for NZ. 5 January: Home at last, he disembarked ex S S Ruahine in Auckland. He served: NZ 71 Days Foreign: 1 year 149 days.

1918

January: Pension increased to 88 pounds 8 shillings per annum. The level of his pension would remain under discussion for many years and is the second major theme running through Harold’s military personnel file.

1920

Married Mary Ellen Batie. Had a family of 2 boys and 2 girls.

1925

He applied for advance on his pension to purchase a confectionary and dairy business at 103 Aro Street, Wellington. The official comment made was that price rather high for this locality and much competition.

Harold died 9 December 1969 aged 75 at The Alexander Home, Richmond.

Source: Nelson Provincial Museum