Karl Nurmi

Alias Madson, Osker (Oskar) (true name)

Born 13.08.1886     Place Helsingfors (Helsinki), Finland     Ethnic origin Finn     Religion Lutheran

Father Neurmi (Nurmi), Herman     Mother -

Arrived at Australia -

Residence before enlistment Perth

Occupation fireman, miner

Service

service number      enlisted 4.10.1916     POE Perth

rank Private     place Depot

final fate deserted 3.09.1917

Naturalisation served as Russian subject

Residence after the war Mount Morgan, Brisbane, Vicictoria (?)

Materials Karl Narmi, alias Oscar Madson or Mathson - Applicant for Naturalization (NAA)

digitised service records (NAA)

court martial file (NAA)

alien registration (NAA) (Madson, Osker)

Intelligence Branch file (NAA)

From Russian Anzacs in Australian History:

It may have been unofficial practice to place Russians, whose English was deficient, in non-combatant units — according to the Finn Karl Nurmi (Osker Madson), a former fireman, when about to embark, ‘not being able to speak the English language fluently, I was withdrawn and transferred to the tunnellers’.

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