Digitised naturalisation (NAA) (Tarasouf)

Digitised service records (NAA) (Tarasowf)

Digitised Embarkation roll entry (AWM)

Repatriation Medical case file (NAA) (Tarasowf)

* Information from Toowong Burial registry

Blog article

Russian

English

Publications

Елена Говор, Белорусские Анзаки, Białoruskie Zeszyty Historyczne, 2013, no. 40, c. 53-108.

Newspaper articles

Mill worker's death. - Daily Mercury, Mackay, 6 December 1924, p. 14.

Oscar and Michael. - Evening News, Rockhampton, 18 March 1925, p. 5.

Celebrating the Day. - Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 19 March 1925, p. 8.

Police court. - Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 14 October 1925, p. 8

Police court. - Daily Mercury, Mackay, 3 March 1927, p. 5.

Two casualties. - The Central Queensland Herald, Rockhampton, 29 April 1937, p. 59.

Police court. - Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 9 August 1938, p. 8.

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

In Thomas Tarasowf's case refusal [of naturalisation] was because of several convictions for stealing while drunk. Yet his police report stated that he was 'undoubtedly a Russian' who did 'not mix with the Russian community here'; even his referees were all returned soldiers. When he applied, he was already terminally ill with tuberculosis but, not being a citizen, was ineligible for the invalid pension. The RSL came to his support several times, writing once: 'there is a principle behind it, and it seems remarkable that a man who fought for his country, cannot subsequently be naturalised'. Officialdom remained adamant. The policeman interviewing him for the last time, when he was not expected to live much longer as he was 'daily growing weaker from TB', recorded that Tarasowf 'Desires to state that he wishes to die a British Subject'. That finally moved the authorities and Tarasowf, after battling for five years, was naturalised in 1936; soon afterwards he died, but at least it was as a British subject