Russian AnzacsArthur Saari
| Alias | Arthur Island |
|---|---|
| Born | 22.03.1891 |
| Place | Helsingfors (Helsinki), Finland |
| Ethnic origin | Finnish |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Father | Adolf Saari |
| Mother | Wilhelmina Saari |
| Family | Wife Helen Grace Thompson |
| Arrived at Australia |
on 18.06.1912 per Fahrwohl disembarked at Hobart (naturalisation); Melbourne (Russian consul's information) |
| Residence before enlistment | Adelaide |
| Occupation | Seaman, labourer, confectioner |
| Naturalisation | 1923 |
| Residence after the war | Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle, New Zealand, Melbourne, Port Melbourne |
| Died | 1953, Port Melbourne, Vic. |
Service #1
| Service number | 2402 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 8.01.1916 |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide |
| Unit | 32nd Battalion, 48th Battalion, 12th MG Company, 4th MG Battalion |
| Rank | Private |
| Place | Western Front, 1916-1919 |
| Awards | 4.10.1916 DCM (LG 20.10.1916) |
| Final fate | RTA 15.06.1919 |
| Discharged | 2.09.1919 |
Materials
Digitised naturalisation (NAA)
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Alien registration (NAA)
Digitised recommendation for award 1 2 3 4 5 (AWM)
Army payfile (NAA)
Personal case file 1 2 (NAA)
Family Tree on Ancestry.com
Blog article
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
It was also here [Mouquet Farm] that the Finn Arthur Saari won the Distinguished Conduct Medal when, 'acting as a runner, [he] worked his way through heavy enemy barrage and although twice buried by exploding shells, he preserved and successfully delivered a most important message'.
Gallery
Arthur Saari (right)
Service records B2455 (NAA)