Russian AnzacsYai Limbek
| Alias | was likely identical with John Lemberg from Kalgoorlie (police report); used name Joseph after the war |
|---|---|
| Born | 23.01.1884 |
| Place | Dago (Hiiumaa), Estonia |
| Ethnic origin | Estonian |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Father | Uri Limbek |
| Residence before enlistment | Perth |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Naturalisation | Served as Russian subject |
Service #1
| Service number | 5428 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 1.02.1916 |
| Place of enlistment | Perth |
| Unit | 11th Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916-1917 |
| Casualties | WIA 1917 |
| Final fate | RTA 10.09.1917 |
| Discharged | 5.12.1917 MU |
Materials
Digitised service records (NAA)
Russian subjects enlisted in the AIF (digitised file) (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Intelligence file (NAA)
Alien registration (NAA)
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
The horror of Bullecourt [1917] kept soldiers in its grips long after these battles. Among the Russians alone there were at least three men affected mentally -- one was Yai Limbek, who had been at the Western Front since August 1916. After First Bullecourt he left his unit but was soon apprehended and sent into battle again. He was wounded in the face and in hospital he became deluded: 'imagined his head was full of shrapnel ... and that gases are introduced in his room', according his medical records.