Luke, Harry Charles

Sir Harry Charles Luke was born in 1884 in London, England. He was educated at Eton, and Trinity College, Oxford (he became an honorary fellow of the College in 1952). Luke's first official appointment was as Private Secretary (1908) and Aide-de-Camp (1909) to the Governor of Sierra Leone. In 1911 he served in the same capacity in Barbados, except for a period during May-July when he was attached to the Colonial Office. In October 1911 Luke was transferred to Cyprus where he held the posts of Private Secretary to the High Commissioner, Assistant Secretary to the Government (1912), and Commissioner of Famagusta (1918). From 1909 to 1911 Luke was also second lieutenant in the London Yeomanry.

During World War I, Luke served as Commander of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the Syrian Coast, and as a Political Officer on the staff of Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss; for his services he was awarded the Italian medal for military valour. In 1919 Luke was appointed Political Officer to the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir J. de Robeck.

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