Ernest Otto Brutton

Alias Ernest Ottoff; Bruttan

Born 14.06.1895    Place Luban, near Riga, Latvia    Ethnic origin German/Latvian    Religion Lutheran

Father Bruttan, Otto     Mother Bruttan, Lisa

Residence before arrival at Australia left Russia at the age of 16, went to Argentine, learned the trade of electrician, was in New York in 1913

Arrived at Australia

Residence before enlistment Sydney

Occupation 1915 seaman AB, 1919 electrician

Service

service number 1974A   enlisted 21.12.1915   POE Casula, NSW

unit 31st Battalion, 15th FAB, 7th Battery 3rd FAB   rank Private, Gunner

place Western Front, 1916-1917      casualties WIA 1917

final fate RTA 23.09.1918       discharged 28.12.1918 MU

Naturalisation 1919

Residence after the war Sydney, North Queensland, Cairns

Family wife Ada Rose Brutton (née Frost), married 1925; son Harold

Died 1.10.1975

Materials naturalisation (NAA)

digitised service records (NAA)

court martial file (NAA)

immigration file (NAA)

portraits DA14043 & DA14044 (AWM) (Electronic image currently unavailable)

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

Ernest Otto Brutton, the former seaman of German background from Latvia, served as a gunner at the Western Front until he was gassed at Ypres. On returning to Australia, he tried various things: he was a milk vendor, worked on coastal vessels, and then tried tobacco-farming and cane-cutting; finally, at Cairns, he also ended up on the waterfront.

    A few Russians played an active role in returned soldier organisations, too. Ernest Brutton was a long-standing Cairns RSL member and ‘marshal for ANZAC Day marches. He was responsible for making sure all the chaps march in the correct groups, army, navy, airforce; he virtually controlled the whole parade. It was quite a big job.’ [remembers his son Harold].

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