15/08/1914- Completed Medical Examination Bunbury WA
18/08/1914- Joined 11th Battalion 3rd Infantry Brigade as Private
26/11/1914- To Overseas Training Base Egypt
2/03/1915- Embarked Alexandria Egypt with Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces for Gallipoli Peninsula
25/07/1915- Admitted 2nd Australian Field Ambulance Anzac Gallipoli then to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station ( Influenza )
30/07/1915- Evacuated/Admitted 2nd General Hospital Ghezireh Egypt ex Mudros Lemnos ex Hospital Ship Gallipoli, then transferred to Convalescent Depot Montazah Egypt
4/09/1915- Admitted British Red Cross Hospital Alexandria Egypt ( Scalded Leg )
23/10/1915- Discharged to Duty Overseas Base Mustapha Zeitoun Egypt ex Injury
7/11/1915- To Overseas Base Camp Mudros Lemnos
19/11/1915- Rejoined Unit at Sarpi Camp Mudros
7/01/1916- Disembarked Alexandria Egypt ex Mudros
5/04/1916- Disenbarked Marseilles France ex Alexandria Egypt
17/07/1916- Transferred 3rd Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery in the field France
2/07/1917- Awarded MILITARY MEDAL
23/10/1917- Wounded in Action Belgium ( Gunshot Wound Back )
26/10/1917- Admitted 6th General Hospital Rouen France ex 3rd Australian Field Ambulance ex 1st Australian Division Rest Station ex 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station ex Ambulance Train
3/11/1917- Evacuated/Admitted VAD Hospital Cheltenham England affil. 2nd Southern General Hospital
10/12/1917- Granted Leave England
25/12/1917- To No. 1 Command Depot Sutton Veny England ex Leave
19/01/1918- To Overseas Training Brigade Longbridge Deverill England
7/02/1918- Proceeded Overseas Australian General Base Depot Rouelles France ex Southampton ex Longbridge Deverill England
26/02/1918- Rejoined Battalion in the field France ex Base Depot ex Wounded
23/07/1918- Wounded in Action France ( Gunshot Wound Face, Left Leg & Shoulder )
24/07/1918- Admitted No. 4 General Hospital Etaples France ex 3rd Australian Field Ambulance ex 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station
3/08/1918- Evacuated/Admitted 1st Eastern General Hospital Cambridge England
13/09/1918- Granted Leave England
27/09/1918- To No. 1 Command Depot Perham Downs England ex Leave
10/10/1918- To St Budeaux Barracks Devonport England
3/12/1918- Embarked England for Australia per ” Port Hacking ” ( Special 1914 Leave )
17/01/1919- Disembarked Australia
25/03/1919- Discharged from Service
AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL
Date of Recommendation : 14th May 1917
” At Bullecourt, France on 6th May 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, and consistent good work , during recent operations. Private RATKE was runner for the 3rd Aust Trench Mortar Battery and as there was no telephone communication between the Guns in the line and Battery Headquarters , which was about 1500 yards in rear, he continually carried despatches under very heavy artillery fire and guided parties carrying Stokes Ammunition, which was very urgently required , back to the Guns.
On the morning of the 6th May, the enemy made a strong counter-attack along O.G. 1 with temporary success. During the counter-attack Private RATKE rendered valuable assistance by carrying messages from the right flank, to direct the bombing party which was working along O.G.1, and by carrying ammunition and bombs which were urgently required , back to the right flank.
On every occasion during the enemy counter-attack he had to cross No Mans Land under very heavy artillery and machine gun fire and he showed great courage and coolness “
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : 8 November 1917
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : Page 2943, Position 130
Date of London Gazette : 18 July 1917
Location in London Gazette : Page 7289, Position 3.
Local I.D.- Bunbury Herald.