Russian AnzacsPeter Swirgsdin
| Russian spelling | <br>**Latvian spelling** Peter Zvirgsdiņš |
|---|---|
| Born | 22.11.1888 |
| Place | Riga, Latvia |
| Ethnic origin | Latvian |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Father | Andrew Swirgsdin |
| Mother | Annie (Amelia Mednis) |
| Family | Wife Hilda Alice Swirgsdin (nee White), married in England ca. 1917, son Herbert Peter (1918-1946), died during AIF service in WWII |
| Arrived at Australia |
from London on 16.07.1910 per Durham disembarked at Townsville, Qld |
| Residence before enlistment | Townsville, Qld |
| Occupation | Engine driver, 1918 foreman, 1943 labourer |
| Naturalisation | 1918 |
| Residence after the war | Oolbun, Townsville, Cairns, Qld |
Service #1
| Service number | 21275 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | 18.10.1915 |
| Place of enlistment | Townsville, Qld |
| Unit | 9th FAB, 7th FAB |
| Rank | Gunner, Bombardier |
| Place | Western Front, 1917 |
| Casualties | WIA 1917 |
| Final fate | RTA 30.01.1918 |
| Discharged | 26.04.1918 |
Materials
Digitised naturalisation (NAA)
Digitised service records (NAA)
Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)
Digitised application for passage for wife (NAA)
Alien registration (NAA)
Repatriation Medical case file (NAA)
DVA pension case file (NAA)
Blog article
Newspaper articles
A fine of £3. - Townsville Daily Bulletin, 6 September 1937, p. 4.
From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:
Moreover, some Russians considered that taking an oath of allegiance to the king at enlistment dispensed with the need to take another oath for naturalisation -- in the words of Peter Swirgsdin, who had been severely wounded at Passchendaele in 1917: 'I have taken the Oath of Alligian to His Majesty the King once and I consider it true for all times'.
Gallery
** Peter Swirgsdin**
Queenslander Pictorial, supplement to The Queenslander, 3 June 1916, p. 25