Russian AnzacsLouis Pasvalsky
| Alias | known as Louis Walters; nickname in the army 'Charlie Chaplin' |
|---|---|
| Russian spelling | Луис Пасвальский |
| Born | 1897 |
| Place | Opotzk (Opochka?, Russia) |
| Ethnic origin | Jewish |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Father | Earon Pasvalsky |
| Mother | Rebecca Pasvalsky |
| Contacts | Brother Isidore Walters; nephew Philip Walters |
| Arrived at Australia |
on ca 1912 |
| Residence before enlistment | Perth |
| Occupation | Metal polisher |
| Naturalisation | Served as Russian subject |
Service #1
| Service number | 4872 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 30.11.1915 |
| Place of enlistment | Perth |
| Unit | 11th Battalion, 51st Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916 |
| Final fate | KIA 3.09.1916 |
| Memorial | 26 Villers-Bretonneux, France |
Materials
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Digitised Red Cross wounded and missing file (AWM)
Digitised Roll of Honour card (AWM)
Family tree on Ancestry.com
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
Louis Pasvalsky was an 18-year-old Jewish boy from Perth, a former metal-polisher, whose family were from Opotsk in Poland. He was 'a very bright little Russian', according to his comrades, and only 5 feet 2 inches tall, with dark curly hair. The court of enquiry was told that four men including Pasvalsky (who his comrades called Charlie Chaplin): 'were killed together at Mouquet Farm on Sept. 3rd while digging in. As we came back for cover again I was asking about Charlie Chaplin, and was told that the four men were working together when a shell blew them all up.' Another man added, 'I was told by one of my pals ... that Pasvalskey (whom we nicknamed "Charlie Chaplin") "went for a ride on a shell", by which I understand that he was blown to pieces'. In the face of death they tried to avoid sentimentality ...
Gallery
AWM memorial panel 153