Henry George Abrahamovitch

Alias Harry Wilson

Born 25.09.1881

Place Warsaw, Poland or Odessa, Ukraine

Ethnic origin Jewish

Religion Jewish

Mother J. (or H.G.) Abrahamovitch

Arrived at Australia

Residence before enlistment Melbourne

Occupation Seaman, rabbit trapper, wardsman

Service 1 (Depot)
service number V71182
enlisted 13.10.1917
POE Melbourne
unit Australian General Hospital (Caulfield Hospital, Melbourne)
rank Private, served as an 'orderly' in hospital
discharged 1.11.1917 MU

Service 2 (Depot)
service number V76268
enlisted 18.05.1918
POE Melbourne
rank Private
discharged 1918

Naturalisation Served as Russian subject

Residence after the war 1940 Parramatta Goal, NSW

Materials

Digitised service records (NAA)

Personal case file (NAA)

Publications

Hail, Australia! [music] / written and composed by H. G. Abrahamovitch, Melbourne : E.W. Cole, [c1917].

The Aussie's last request [music] : song / words and music by H. G. Abrahamovitch, Melbourne : The Corona Music Publishing Co., c1919.

Blog article

Russian

English

Newspaper articles

A Disappointed Russian. - Age, Melbourne, 6 November 1917, p. 6.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. Hail Australia. - Graphic of Australia, Melbourne, 9 November 1917, p. 32.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. What a German victory would mean. - Graphic of Australia, Melbourne, 11 January 1918, p. 23.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. After the war. - Sea Lake Times and Berriwillock Advertiser, 19 January 1918, p. 3.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. After the war. - Sea Lake Times and Berriwillock Advertiser, 26 January 1918, p. 3.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. Russia's battle hymn. - Mildura Cultivator, 27 April 1918, p. 13.

H.G. Abrahamovitch. Russia and peace. - Age, Melbourne, 27 November 1918, p. 12.

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

Henry George Abrahamovitch was a former seaman who became a rabbit-trapper in Australia and during the 1914-18 war served as an orderly at the Caulfield Military Hospital. In 1941, when he was just 60 years old, Abrahamovitch wrote that he lost his discharge papers 'over 10 years ago with other papers which were in my swag. I was travelling the state at the time looking for employment'...

[...] Henry Abrahamovitch, who carried his swag through much of the 1930s, offered himself for service in April 1940: 'I was sworn once to serve the King and the Country in time of need, so my oath stands true as long as I am able to answer the call. For the British people are worthy, truly protected and preserved their sacred liberty. I am one of them. I have been living with them this 37 years and I know no other people.'