Russian AnzacsCharles Cepkouski
| Alias | Correct initial name: Kazimieras Cepkauskas; later used in Australia name Charles Capouski; Cepkonski |
|---|---|
| Russian spelling | Казимир Цепкаускас |
| Born | 25.03.1891 |
| Place | Arlavishkis (Arlaviškes) near Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Ethnic origin | Lithuanian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Father | Jurgis Cepkauskas |
| Mother | Agnes Juociuke Cepkauskas |
| Family | Wife Marion Emily Capouski (nee Sanders), married in 1918 in Fremantle; children: Agnes (1919-1920), Marion, Ronald Joseph, Charles Thomas (1925-2012, served in WWII) |
| Residence before arrival at Australia | Absconded from Russia at the age of 16 to avoid military service, 3 years in Berlin |
| Arrived at Australia |
from Russia on 1910 per Ragan or Argin disembarked at Fremantle, WA |
| Residence before enlistment | Perth, Kalgoorlie |
| Occupation | Boot maker, labourer |
| Naturalisation | 1914 |
| Residence after the war | 1927 Kogarah, NSW, 1940 Newtown, NSW |
| Died | 28.04.1960, Sydney |
Service #1
| Service number | 412 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 20.11.1914 |
| Place of enlistment | Helena Vale, WA |
| Unit | 16th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Gallipoli, 1915 |
| Final fate | RTA 6.08.1915 |
| Discharged | 17.12.1915 MU |
Service #2 – Home service
| Enlisted | 4.10.1916 |
|---|---|
| Place of enlistment | WA |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Discharged | 16.01.1919 |
Materials
Naturalisation (NAA) (Capouski)
Digitised service records (NAA) (Cepkouski)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM) (Cepkonski)
Family Tree on Ancestry.com
Blog articles
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
Charles Capouski, [a] former seaman, invalided to Australia after Gallipoli, did 'all sorts of casual work in Western Australia', his grandson Stan recalls. He later moved to Melbourne, where he tried to start a business, and in 1931 ended up in Sydney, by which time he was married with three children. 'Times were very hard for him here', Stan continues. 'He was very good at making things. He made a large hand-pulled cart and used to collect metal and things from around the streets and local tip to sell for money. He would also make his own batteries and radios. After the Depression he worked for the Water Sewerage And Drainage Board ... as the depth man digging ditches -- he received more money for this due to the higher risks.' It was a dangerous choice of occupation, for in 1937 'he was hit on the head by a 14 lb hammer dropped more than 10 feet from the top of the ditch'. Spending months in hospitals, he never fully recovered and later worked as a cleaner. Life became even harder when he separated from his wife. Stan laconically concludes: he 'had to sell many of his possessions to survive. Would do odd jobs for meals. Helped by his son Charles and brother-in-law Ed with money and food.' In 1960 he died.