William George Averkoff

Russian spelling Василий Сергеевич Аверков

Born 1896 (information in service records) or 1898 (information from the relatives)

Place Vladivostok, Far East (service records) or Moscow, Central Russia (relatives)

Ethnic origin Russian

Religion Roman Catholic (probably Russian Orthodox)

Father Averkoff, Sergius         Mother Averkoff (née Goozieff), Annie

Arrived at Australia with parents and siblings

from Far East   on 13.11.1910   per Nikko Maru   disembarked at Brisbane

Residence before enlistment Qld, Innisfail

Occupation book binder

Service

service number 2124   enlisted 25.03.1916   POE Townsville

unit 47th Battalion   rank Private

place Western Front, 1916-1917

final fate KIA 7.06.1917

cemetery 168 Messines Ridge British Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium

Naturalisation father naturalised 1913

Materials digitised naturalisation of father (NAA)

digitised service records (NAA)

digitised Roll of Honour card (AWM)

A command obeyed. - Cairns Post (Qld.), 10 August 1911, page 4

Family tree on Ancestry.com

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

William George Averkoff added two years onto his real age of 18 years, and joined up, despite having just become the family breadwinner. In 1910 his family, which included the 12-year-old William and his six younger brothers and sisters, had come to Australia, but in 1915 his father died in an accident, leaving William, then working as a bookbinder, to support the large family. William never returned from the war.

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standing: Osiph Rinkevich (left), Nikalas Kiva (right); sitting: William Averkoff (left), Konstantin Diachkoff (right), Brisbane, 1916 Courtesy of Osiph Rinkevich's family	William Averkoff (position unclear) with Australian soldiers from 4/47 and 19/9 battalions at Chermside Camp, Brisbane, 1916 Courtesy of Osiph Rinkevich's family