Russian Anzacs

Albert Brofeldt, a Finnish seaman from Nyslott (Savonlinna), most likely came to Australia in 1901; by the time of his enlistment in the AIF he was over forty and living in Western Australia working as a miner and seaman.
He enlisted in the AIF in Fremantle and served with the Machine gun section of the 28th Battalion on the Western Front but in 1917 was returned to Australia due to his age.
After the war he lived in Fremantle and died in 1924.

Samuel Harold Krantz, from the Jewish agricultural colony of Novopavlovka in Ukraine, came to Australia in 1905 with his younger brother Albert. He lived first in Broken Hill and then moved to Perth where he worked in a hotel. Before leaving for the front he married a Jewish girl, Jeanetta Loffman.
He served with the 43rd Battalion on the Western Front, being promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In July 1918, during the attack on Hamel, Samuel set an example of ‘bravery and initiative’ to his platoon, for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Soon after that, during the advance to Péronne, he was wounded in the mouth.
Returning to Australia, Samuel changed his surname to Grant; he had two daughters and worked as a draper.

Ivan Gorodezky, a Ukrainian from Lipovka in Kamenets-Podolsky Province, was an engineer by trade.
He enlisted in the AIF in Melbourne and served as a driver with Field Ambulance regiments on the Western Front.
After the war he was discharged in London, intending to live in France, where he married.

Johannes Lokki, a Finnish seaman from Gogland Island, came to South Australia in 1910 and was engaged in coast sailing.
He served with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front.
After the war he continued to work as a seaman; in 1933 he married an Australian woman, Clara Matilda Murphy, and lived in Sydney. During WWII he became a wharf labourer.

Hjalmar Nyman, a Finnish seaman from Helsingfors (Helsinki), enlisted in the AIF together with Lokki and served together with him the 3rd Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front.
In September 1918, during the advance at Tincourt, Nyman’s initiative, coolness and courage helped to oust the enemy’s machine gun and sniper posts and save his comrades’ lives. He was awarded the Military Medal for this exploit.
After the war he married an Australian girl, Olive Rita, settling in Port Adelaide. He worked as a seaman and crane driver. During WWII he enlisted in the AIF and served in the Volunteer Defence Corps.