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
Blog article
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.'