Charles Cepkouski

Alias correct initial name: Kazimieras Cepkauskas; Capouski     Russian spelling Казимир Цепкаускас

Born 25.03.1891   Place Arlavishkis (Arlaviškės) near Kaunas, Lithuania   Ethnic origin Lithuanian   Religion Roman Catholic

Father Cepkauskas, Jurgis    Mother Cepkauskas, Agnes Juociuke

Residence before arrival at Australia absconded from Russia at the age of 16 to avoid military service, 3 years in Berlin

Arrived at Australia

            from Russia  on 1910    per Ragan or Argin    disembarked at Fremantle, WA

Residence before enlistment Perth, Kalgoorlie

Occupation boot maker, labourer

Service 1

service number 412   enlisted 20.11.1914   POE Helena Vale, WA

unit 16th Battalion   rank Private

place Gallipoli, 1915

final fate RTA 6.08.1915       discharged 17.12.1915 MU

Service 2

service number    enlisted 4.10.1916 POE WA

unit     rank Corporal

place home service

discharged 16.01.1919

Naturalisation 1914

Residence after the war 1927 Kogarah, NSW, 1940 Newtown

Wife Marion Emily Capouski, married in 1918 in Fremantle; had four children

Died 28.04.1960

Materials naturalisation (NAA) (Capouski)

digitised service records (NAA) (Cepkouski)

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

Charles Capouski, [a] former seaman, invalided to Australia after Gallipoli, did ‘all sorts of casual work in Western Australia’, his grandson Stan recalls. He later moved to Melbourne, where he tried to start a business, and in 1931 ended up in Sydney, by which time he was married with three children. ‘Times were very hard for him here’, Stan continues. ‘He was very good at making things. He made a large hand-pulled cart and used to collect metal and things from around the streets and local tip to sell for money. He would also make his own batteries and radios. After the Depression he worked for the Water Sewerage And Drainage Board … as the depth man digging ditches — he received more money for this due to the higher risks.’ It was a dangerous choice of occupation, for in 1937 ‘he was hit on the head by a 14 lb hammer dropped more than 10 feet from the top of the ditch’. Spending months in hospitals, he never fully recovered and later worked as a cleaner. Life became even harder when he separated from his wife. Stan laconically concludes: he ‘had to sell many of his possessions to survive. Would do odd jobs for meals. Helped by his son Charles and brother-in-law Ed with money and food.’ In 1960 he died.

Back to home if you do not see frames