Separated from his family in the tragedy of war – Aksell Keert’s story

Juhan owned a small grocery shop helped by his wife Aliide, a proficient sewer, providing her family with clothing. During WWI Juhan was mobilized to the Russian tzarist army.
Unfortunately, this led to time spent in a prisoner of war camp.

After the war, the family moved to Raadi parish where Juhan was employed as the parish messenger clerk. The family rented a small farm, employing some workers. In 1939 they moved to Luunja parish, Kabina village. This was home to Aliide’s parents. Aliide’s father had been allocated a piece of land to compensate fighting in the Estonian Freedom War. He constructed everything including furniture; he was a professional carpenter.

Marta’s memories of Aksel was as a very enterprising and friendly brother. He was skilled at drawing, step- dancing and joodeling (German Alps singing).

Aksel loved to dress well. Sometimes Marta gave up her pocket money to buy a new neck-tie for her brother.

Summer holidays were spent together with other young villagers fishing in the mornings, volleyball in the afternoons and dancing parties in the evenings.

During War time, dancing was prohibited.

Aksel studied at Korvekula primary school from 1931 to 1937 until he fell ill with diphtheria He spent several months in critical condition in the Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Tartu. A long period was endured of serious complications with speaking and walking. When his condition improved, he began studies in electrotechnical specialty at Tartu Industrial School.

By the time Askel completed his studies, WWII had already begun. Aksel volunteered to join the army.

Separated from his family in the tragedy of war, Axel eventually found his way to Australia on the Charlton Sovereign.

Troubled with breakdowns and taking three months to make the journey from Breamerhaven Germany, Axel reached Bathurst NSW in October 1948. A few months later in December, he was relocated to Heyfield, Gippsland to a large post-war irrigation and soldier settlement scheme.

Before leaving Germany, aided by his knowledge of English and other languages, Axel worked in a warehouse with the Americans as part of the International Refugee Organisation (IRO). Here, Axel was put in charge of the Stores Section. Axel also spent time with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), as an interpreter.

Axel loved dancing, soccer, swimming and tennis. The language barrier was soon overcome, and friendships were made with locals.

Margaret Helen Irving and Axel were married in Heyfield, on 7 July 1951. Their first child Karin was born in October 1952. Soon after, they were transferred to Eildon where their second daughter Christine was born in November 1954.

Axel’s fishing was nurtured during the Eildon days and then later, in the Snowy Mountains at Eucembene. Axel enjoyed spending time trekking across the surrounding snow-covered hills, while his family stayed in Springwood in the Blue Mountains.

In 1958, through the International Red Cross, Axel received word that his mother was looking for him. Many letters and photos were exchanged but due to censorship, they found meaningful dialogue difficult.
Axel was a great target shooter with the small-bore rifle club in Springwood. He became Club Champion in 1957-58. During this time Axel junior was born, in Penrith in March 1957. Ronda arrived also in Penrith in June 1960. Rohan was born February 1962 in Croydon, Alina in April 1968 and Matthew in June 1971.

While working in the Snowy, Axel became official photographer with Utah, a company engaged in the early iron ore works in the Pilbara, Dampier and Port Hedland.
During this time Axel saw a lot of Australia including the black coal country of Queensland.