32119
RAPKO, Gustav Adolph
| Service Number: | 2480 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 July 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Wakefield, South Australia, 4 April 1891 |
| Home Town: | Port Wakefield, Wakefield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 11 June 1985, aged 94 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Cremation only |
| Memorials: | Dublin War Memorial, Mallala Wild Horse Plains Roll of Honour, Port Wakefield Bowmans Methodist Church & District WW1 Roll of Honour, Port Wakefield Uniting Church Memorial Window |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2480, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2480, 48th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2480, 48th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Adelaide |
Help us honour Gustav Adolph Rapko's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Christian and Louisa Henrietta RAPKO nee SCHOFF, of Port Wakefield, SA
Biography contributed by Xavier Two Wells
Gustav Adolph Rapko was born on the 4th of April 1891, at Inkerman near Port Wakefield. His parents were Christian and Louisa Henrietta Rapko and he grew up with 3 siblings. He worked as a farmer before he enlisted.
On the 22nd of July 1916, Rapko joined the Australian Imperial Force. He was assigned to the 48th Infantry Battalion
A little over a month after joining, Gustav embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, aboard the HMAT Anchises on the 28th of August 1916.
After arriving in England, Gustav underwent further training before being sent to the Western Front in France 12 October 1916. Gustav was hospitalised with an illness upon arrrival in France. He recovered and was taken on strength in the field with the 48th Battalion 6th February 1917
During his service, Gustav faced many hardships. His military records show he was wounded three times and suffered from illnesses. The first was a gunshot wound to the back received on 11th April 1917. After initial treatment in France he embarked to England for further treatment. After recovery and rest he returned to France and rejoined the 48th Battalion 21st August 1917. In September he was wounded again but it was only slight so he remained at duty. He was ill in November and needed hospitalisation.
In January 1918 Gustav was admitted to hospital due to trench feet and was transferred to the UK for treatment. After hospital treatment he marched in to the No 3 Command Depot for light duties to convalesce. On 19th April 1918 he rejoined his unit in France. He was again wounded for the third time with a gun shot wound to his right leg on 23rd August 1918. Gustav again ended up in an English hospital for treatment.
He returned to Australia embarking 2nd January 1919 and was discharged 29th March 1919.
Rapko lived a long life, passing away on the 11th of June 1985, at the age of 94. His long life is a testament to his resilience, surviving the horrors of the war and all the losses, experiences.
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