Russian AnzacsWilliam Brandt
| Alias | Served as Brant |
|---|---|
| Born | 3.10.1894 |
| Place | Arensburg (Kuressaare), Oesel (Saaremaa), Estonia |
| Ethnic origin | Estonian |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Father | Michal Brandt |
| Mother | Mary Brandt |
| Residence before arrival at Australia | After leaving Estonia lived in England, 1910-1912 |
| Arrived at Australia |
from Hull, England on 11.12.1912 per Habring disembarked at Melbourne |
| Residence before enlistment | Richmond, Victoria |
| Occupation | 1916 sailor, 1938 AB seaman |
| Naturalisation | 1940 |
| Residence after the war | Richmond, Victoria |
| Died | 1953 (?), Heidelberg, Victoria |
Service #1
| Service number | 6216 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 27.04.1916 |
| Place of enlistment | Warragul, Vic |
| Unit | 5th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916-1918 |
| Casualties | WIA 1917 (twice) |
| Final fate | RTA 10.07.1919 |
| Discharged | 20.10.1919 |
Materials
Naturalisation (NAA) (Brant W.)
Digitised service records (NAA) (Brant)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM) (Brant)
Court martial records (NAA) (Brandt)
Personal case file (NAA) (Brant)
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
[...] the Estonian William Brant (Brandt), from the 5th Battalion, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude for desertion in the field. A former sailor, Brant had been twice wounded, and at his trial he [...] stated that the Russian consul had pressured him to join the army, and 'now that Russia has signed peace I want my discharge'. His plea was unsympathetically received and his battalion commander, in comments attached to the court materials sent to headquarters for confirmation, said: 'In case of Brandt ... I beg to recommend that the sentence of 5 years P.S. be put into execution. This man made application some time ago for his discharge from the Army on the grounds that he was not a naturalised British subject, but a Russian, and as his home is now under German control he wished to do what he could to get in touch with his people.'