Russian AnzacsWilliam George Averkoff
| Russian spelling | Василий Сергеевич Аверков |
|---|---|
| Born | 1896 (information in service records) or 1898 (information from the relatives) |
| Place | Moscow, Russia (information fron his relatives) or Vladivostok, Russia (service records) |
| Ethnic origin | Russian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (probably Russian Orthodox) |
| Father | Sergius Averkoff |
| Mother | Annie Averkoff (née Goozieff) |
| Arrived at Australia |
from Far East with parents and siblings on 13.11.1910 per Nikko Maru disembarked at Brisbane |
| Residence before enlistment | Innisfail, Qld |
| Occupation | Book binder |
| Naturalisation | father naturalised 1913 |
Service #1
| Service number | 2124 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 25.03.1916 |
| Place of enlistment | Townsville |
| Unit | 47th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916-1917 |
| Final fate | KIA 7.06.1917 |
| Cemetery | 168 Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium |
Materials
Digitised naturalisation of father (NAA)
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Digitised Roll of Honour circular (AWM)
Family tree on Ancestry.com
Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to Private William George Averkoff - 22 February 2020 (see story at 11:20).
Blog articles
Newspaper articles
A command obeyed. - Cairns Post, 10 August 1911, p. 4.
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
William George Averkoff added two years onto his real age of 18 years, and joined up, despite having just become the family breadwinner. In 1910 his family, which included the 12-year-old William and his six younger brothers and sisters, had come to Australia, but in 1915 his father died in an accident, leaving William, then working as a bookbinder, to support the large family. William never returned from the war.
Gallery
William George Averkoff
Courtesy of Averkoff's family
Standing: Osiph Rinkevich (left), Nikalas Kiva (right); sitting: William Averkoff (left), Konstantin Diachkoff (right), Brisbane, 1916
Courtesy of Osiph Rinkevich's family
William Averkoff (position unclear) with Australian soldiers from 4/47 and 19/9 battalions at Chermside Camp, Brisbane, 1916
Courtesy of Osiph Rinkevich's family
AWM memorial panel 143