Russian AnzacsArvid Berkis
| Alias | Berger |
|---|---|
| Born | 12.11.1892 |
| Place | Riga, Latvia |
| Ethnic origin | Latvian |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Arrived at Australia |
from Japan on 5.06.1909 per Yawata Maru disembarked at Brisbane |
| Residence before enlistment | NSW, SA, WA, Melbourne |
| Occupation | Sailor, 'worked in the forest and copper mines' (from Roll of Honour circular) |
| Naturalisation | 1914 |
Service #1
| Service number | 1507 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 18.12.1914 |
| Place of enlistment | Broadmeadows, Melbourne or Cangai, NSW (Roll of Honour) |
| Unit | 6th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Gallipoli, 1915 |
| Casualties | WIA 1915 |
| Final fate | DOW 15.07.1915 |
| Cemetery | Buried at sea |
| Memorial | 6 Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipol |
Materials
Digitised naturalisation (NAA)
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM) (David Berkis)
Blog article
Newspaper articles
The boxing carnival. - Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, 12 November 1913, p. 4
Soldiers on way to front hold sports. Carnival on board. - Referee, Sydney, 26 May 1915, p. 9
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
The botanist Jakob Serennikoff and the seaman Arvid Berkis, who had just arrived with the 3rd reinforcements, were wounded in [charge at Krithia, Gallipoli]. Serennikoff was evacuated to Australia but Berkis, after recovering in Egypt, rejoined his battalion and was severely wounded again in the fight for German Officers' Trench in July. He died of his wounds aboard the ship returning him to Egypt and was buried at sea -- a sailor's fate.
Gallery
AWM memorial panel 46