John Kachan

Russian spelling Иван Качан

Born 1878      Place Berdichev, Kiev, Ukraine     Ethnic origin Ukrainian     Religion Russian Orthodox

Residence before arrival at Australia served in the Russian Army (artillery, Poltava Regiment) for 5 years, fought in the Russo-Japanese War

Arrived at Australia -

Residence before enlistment Qld

Occupation labourer

Service

service number 1528   enlisted 27.04.1915   POE Bundaberg, Qld

unit 26th Battalion   rank Private, Signaller

place Gallipoli, 1915

final fate RTA 28.01.1916       discharged 28.06.1917 MU

Naturalisation served as Russian subject

Residence after the war Sydney

Died 1918, Sydney

Materials digitised service records (NAA)

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

John Kachan, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, now a signaller with the 26th Battalion, became insane after several months at Gallipoli. He was evacuated to Egypt, there to lie surrounded by kind nurses in the former palace at Heliopolis which had become No. 1 Australian General Hospital. According to his doctor, he ‘wants to get away — thinks people want to kill him. Can’t speak.’ What did he leave behind him at Gallipoli …? For a long time they did not even know his name. Finally he was evacuated to Australia and died at Sydney in 1918. He is missing from the Roll of Honour.

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