Russian AnzacsDimitry Chepurnoff
| Russian spelling | Дмитрий Дмитриевич Чепурнов |
|---|---|
| Born | 23.10.1891 |
| Place | Andreevka, Penza, Russia |
| Ethnic origin | Russian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (?) |
| Mother | Marie Chepurnoff |
| Arrived at Australia |
from Russia via Moji on 19.01.1914 per Eastern disembarked at Cairns |
| Residence before enlistment | Darwin, Melbourne |
| Occupation | Labourer (former clerk) |
| Naturalisation | Served as Russian subject |
| Residence after the war | 1918 left for Russia; 1938 Ruzaevka, Mordovia. Arrested 13.01.1938, sentenced for 3 years |
| Died | Arrested 11.07.1941, convicted 03.09.1941 and executed at Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan |
Service #1
| Service number | 4767 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 6.12.1915 |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne |
| Unit | 14th Battalion, 46th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916-1917 |
| Casualties | WIA 1916, 1917 |
| Final fate | RTA 27.08.1917 |
| Discharged | 28.11.1917 |
Materials
Alien registration (NAA)
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Personal case file (NAA)
Intelligence case file (NAA)
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
Dmitry Chepurnoff, a former clerk from central Russia, [had] developed some obscure illness while recovering at Harefield Hospital in England from his second wound. Eventually he was sent to camp, reclassified as fit for active service and put on physical training. He told the instructor that he 'was unable to carry on', but was put under arrest, to be court-martialled. Chepurnoff wrote to the only person he knew, Dr Parkinson from the hospital, pleading for help and ended his letter by saying, 'In case you should have any trouble in remembering my case I am the Russian patient which you took such a great interest in & I feel greatly indebted to you for your great kindness'. The doctor did intervene, writing to the commanding officer and suggesting an enquiry be held into Chepurnoff's case, adding: 'I think there is a possibility that some injustice may have arisen in the case'. He also said about his former patient: 'He is a Russian and it is very difficult to understand his English'. A month later Chepurnoff was embarked for Australia as medically unfit.