John Kachan
Russian spelling
Иван Качан
Born 1878
Place Berdichev, Kiev, Ukraine
Ethnic origin Ukrainian
Religion Russian Orthodox
Residence before arrival at Australia Served in the Russian Army (artillery, Poltava Regiment) for 5 years, fought in the Russo-Japanese War
Arrived at Australia
Residence before enlistment Queensland, Bundaberg
Occupation Labourer
Service service number 1528
enlisted 27.04.1915
POE Bundaberg, Qld
unit 26th Battalion
rank Private, Signaller
place Gallipoli, 1915
final fate RTA 28.01.1916
discharged 28.06.1917 MU
Naturalisation Served as Russian subject
Residence after the war Sydney
Died 28.07.1918, Sydney
Materials
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
John Kachan, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, now a signaller with the 26th Battalion, became insane after several months at Gallipoli. He was evacuated to Egypt, there to lie surrounded by kind nurses in the former palace at Heliopolis which had become No. 1 Australian General Hospital. According to his doctor, he 'wants to get away -- thinks people want to kill him. Can't speak.' What did he leave behind him at Gallipoli ...? For a long time they did not even know his name. Finally he was evacuated to Australia and died at Sydney in 1918. He is missing from the Roll of Honour.